HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1976
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO IRRIGATION.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that reliable irrigation is the lifeline of Hawaii's agricultural industry.  To ensure that Hawaii's crops receive a steady and dependable supply of water, sufficient funding is needed to maintain and improve Hawaii's irrigation systems.  The increasing number of extended drought events caused by climate change highlights the need for timely repair and maintenance of these systems.

     The legislature further finds that one of the most important irrigation systems in the State is the Waiahole irrigation system, which services many agricultural producers in central Oahu.  Agriculture in central Oahu has become the primary center of diversified crop farming, covering approximately 5,866 acres of prime agricultural land.

     The legislature also finds that the agribusiness development corporation, which is administratively attached to the department of agriculture, manages the Waiahole irrigation system.  The agribusiness development corporation plans to build more water storage capacity and a backup well system to ensure water security for farming in the central plains of Oahu.  These capital improvements will provide long-term benefits in improved system efficiency as well as in planning for natural disasters such as droughts or for potential system failure.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide additional funding for improvements to the Waiahole irrigation system.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $         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 2018-2019 for the purpose of making capital improvements to the Waiahole irrigation system.

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

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2020, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

Report Title:

Waiahole Irrigation System; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvements to the Waiahole Irrigation System.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.