Bill Text: HI HB1483 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Molokai Irrigation System; Homestead Lessees; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2012-04-13 - (H) Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 747). [HB1483 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB1483-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1143

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1483

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1483, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MOLOKAI IRRIGATION SYSTEM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide adequate amounts of water at a reduced rate for agricultural operations utilizing water from the Molokai irrigation system.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to provide water at a reduced rate to Molokai irrigation system water users who lease tracts of Hawaiian Home Lands;

 

     (2)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to forgive past due amounts owed by lessees of Hawaiian Home Lands on Molokai for the provision of water; and

 

     (3)  Appropriates funds to cover operational costs of the Molokai irrigation system.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on the measure from Russell S. Kokubun, Chairperson, Board of Agriculture.

 

     Your Committee finds that the high cost of water delivery results in hardship on Hawaiian homestead farmers.  Providing water to homestead lessees at a reasonable rate and forgiving past due loan amounts will promote self-sufficiency and enable lessees to manage their water costs.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure to allow, rather than require, the Department of Agriculture to forgive past due loan amounts owed by any lessee of Hawaiian Home Lands on Molokai for the provision of water from the Molokai irrigation system.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1483, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1483, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

		____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair