HB1939

Report Title:

Agricultural Water Development; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates $45,000,000 for agricultural water development; restricts $5,000,000 for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1939
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an APPROPRIATION for agricultural water development.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that agriculture is a vital component of Hawaii's economy. It provides Hawaii with a stage for tourism, export products, a diversity of employment opportunities, a lifestyle for its residents, and stewardship for its lands and water. Agriculture has made steady progress over the past twenty years, despite the overall depressed economic condition of the State, and especially since the attacks on September 11, 2001. In order to strengthen the diversification of our State's economy, the legislature finds that it must maintain the resources and infrastructure needed for the continued growth of Hawaii's agricultural industry.

The legislature also finds that the land cannot support agriculture without adequate, economical water resources. Plantation closures not only made available large tracts of agricultural lands, but also left behind extensive irrigation systems and water collection and distribution infrastructure that is decaying and falling into disrepair. This threatens the orderly transition from plantation operations to diversified agriculture. The profitability of new and existing enterprises, as well as future expansion and success of the industry, relies on the development of adequate sources of irrigation water.

Therefore, the legislature finds that it is critical for the State to maintain and develop agricultural water systems to ensure the availability of economical water resources for Hawaii's agriculture. In addition, these projects are deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate the necessary funds for fiscal year 2002-2003 for agricultural water development.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $45,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for improvements to existing agricultural water infrastructure, including, but not limited to renovating, rehabilitating, replacing, improving, converting, and updating the irrigation water delivery systems of existing agricultural regions in the counties of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and the city and county of Honolulu, together with temporary relief subsidies for the operational costs of these agricultural systems; provided that $5,000,000, shall be for federal aid financing or reimbursement.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________