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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2545 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that reliable agricultural infrastructure is the lifeline of Hawaii's agriculture industry. To ensure that the State's crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, sufficient funding is needed to maintain and improve Hawaii's irrigation systems. Additionally, funding to develop agricultural land resources provides much needed accessibility and support infrastructure to allow local producers to become financially viable. Increasing drought events, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, wildfires, and other crises have highlighted the need for timely repair and maintenance of the State's agricultural infrastructure while also developing new, innovative opportunities for growth in the industry.
The purpose of this Act is to finance the repair and maintenance of the State's agricultural infrastructure.
SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $71,700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of capital improvement projects as follows:
1. Waimanalo system improvements
Total funding $2,500,000
2. Kahuku agricultural park miscellaneous improvements
Total funding $3,500,000
3. Waimea irrigation system improvements
Total funding $4,500,000
4. Lower Hamakua ditch improvements
Total funding $4,500,000
5. Molokai irrigation system improvements
Total funding $2,000,000
6. Royal Kunia agricultural park improvements
Total funding $25,000,000
7. State irrigation system reservoir safety improvements
Total funding $23,000,000
8. Non-agricultural and agricultural park improvements
Total funding $2,000,000
9. Agricultural infrastructure improvements
Total funding $2,200,000
10. Honalo marshalling yard improvements
Total funding $2,500,000
SECTION 2. The sum appropriated in section 1 of this Act shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $284,281,426 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of capital improvement projects as follows:
1. Kekaha irrigation system improvements - Kekaha, Kauai
Total funding $6,470,000
2. Galbraith agricultural land improvements - Oahu
Total funding $500,000
3. Kekaha bridge - Kauai
Total funding $2,500,000
4. Slaughterhouse facility - Oahu
Total funding $4,000,000
5. Water and irrigation infrastructure - Oahu
Total funding $4,500,000
6. Statewide food and product innovation network
Total funding $9,500,000
7. Reclaimed wastewater system - Wahiawa, Oahu
Total funding $178,000,000
8. Agricultural lands - Waialua, Oahu
Total funding $9,100,000
9. Agricultural lands -Waimea, Kauai
Total funding $1,300,000
10. Agricultural lands - Lihue, Kauai
Total funding $64,000,000
11. Retirement of Waiahole water system debt
Total funding $4,411,426
SECTION 4. The sum appropriated in section 3 of this Act shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriations are made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Agricultural Infrastructure; General Obligation Bonds; Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Appropriation
Description:
Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for various agricultural infrastructure projects throughout the State.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.