Bill Text: HI HB255 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Agriculture; Water

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB255 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB255-Introduced.html

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Report Title:

Agriculture; Water

 

Description:

Directs department of agriculture, in conjunction with agribusiness development corporation, to develop an agricultural water plan for Ka`u and south Kona.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	255
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to agriculture.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the continued volcanic activity at Kilauea, coupled with the more recent activity from the vent in Halemaumau crater, is not only impacting human activity on the island of Hawaii and throughout the State but is having a very negative effect on agricultural activities on the island of Hawaii, due to the acidic fumes emanating from Kilauea and Halemaumau.

     Due to this natural disaster, farmers in the districts of Ka`u and south Kona are suffering crop failures due to the lack of sufficient agricultural water resources to combat the effects of the acidic fumes on their crops.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of agriculture, in conjunction with the agribusiness development corporation, to develop an agricultural water plan for Ka`u and south Kona.

     SECTION 2.  The department of agriculture, in conjunction with the agribusiness development corporation, shall develop an agricultural water plan for the districts of Ka`u and south Kona on the island of Hawaii.  The agricultural water plan for the districts of Ka`u and south Kona shall:

     (1)  Be in compliance with the Hawaii water plan, as set forth in section 174C-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Determine and quantify, as its basis, the needs of farmers and agriculturalists in the districts for access to agricultural water;

     (3)  Locate and quantify sufficient sources of agricultural water to meet the need identified for the districts;

     (4)  Identify improvements that are necessary for the development of the agricultural water sources and the transmission system to deliver the agricultural waters from the identified source or sources to farmers and agriculturalist in the districts; and

     (5)  Estimate the capital costs for the required improvements for the agricultural water sources and delivery system of the agricultural water and the annual costs of maintaining the agricultural water system upon completion.

     SECTION 3.  The department of agriculture shall determine whether moneys are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of Homeland Security to respond to this natural disaster caused by the volcanic activity on the island of Hawaii.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for preparation and development of an agricultural water plan for the districts of Ka`u and south Kona on the island of Hawaii.

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

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________