Bill Text: HI HB2595 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: General Obligation Bonds; Irrigation Systems Improvements ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-19 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Nakashima, Thielen, Tokioka excused (3). [HB2595 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2595-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2595 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in the near future climate change will intensify severe weather events, including both droughts and intense rainfall events. These weather events will have a significant impact on crop production in Hawaii, nationally, and globally. Over the past decade, the State's agriculture water supply has been depleted by political climate, economic issues, drought, aging infrastructure, competing water uses, and increased water demand requirements for in-stream flow restoration. In addition, forecast weather patterns have indicated the potential for long-term drought conditions and other severe water events.
Global climate change has affected national and global agricultural growing areas for commodities imported into Hawaii. One of the State's primary sources of imported agricultural commodities, that is, the food consumed in the State, is California, which has been experiencing a multi-year drought. The drought has significantly affected California's crop production.
The legislature finds that a sustainable and viable agriculture industry, with various commodities and farm sizes, requires a clean and reliable water supply. However, drought conditions continue to adversely affect the farms and ranches in Hawaii, hampering their ability to produce quality products on a consistent basis throughout the year.
The legislature is aware of the significant changes in Hawaii's agriculture industry, including the increase in diversified agriculture; global agricultural demands and competition; demand for Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities; increasing protection of agriculture, the environment, and public health from challenges from invasive pests; increased public awareness of food security; and the importance of maintaining the quality and quantity of perishable commodities and increasing Hawaii-grown biofuel sources.
These changes coupled with the loss of large plantations have significantly affected the critical agricultural infrastructure and facilities in the State. Much of the current infrastructure and facilities were constructed in the early-to mid-twentieth century, with certain features being classified as significant historic architectural features or sites. The department of agriculture and agribusiness development corporation have the statewide task of maintaining and upgrading these public and private agriculture systems and facilities. In addition, other private entities have maintained other plantation irrigation systems for the diversified agriculture industry. All of these systems, whether public or private, have challenges such as water supply quantities, water storage capacity, system losses, and aging infrastructure.
The legislature recognizes that water infrastructure must be efficient and have adequate system components to effectively deliver the necessary quantity and quality of water where needed, especially during times of drought. Water infrastructure must also be capable of storing water during intense rainfall events. Financial resources are required to restore these aging systems, increase water storage, and provide adequate water during drought conditions to maintain agriculture production. The legislature finds that the State must be proactive to fund these major improvements and assist the system owners in carrying out the much needed improvements. While this will solve only one of many constraints on increasing agriculture productivity, the legislature recognizes that this is a necessary step toward solving drought impacts, meeting the needs and demands of Hawaii's agriculture, and moving toward increased and sustained productivity. These projects, while only the beginning step, will renovate existing water collection systems, renovate and increase water distribution systems, increase water capacity, provide for operational efficiency, and identify and develop new water sources.
In addition, the legislature recognizes that with the added responsibilities set forth in this Act, the workload of the State's agricultural resources management division staff and agribusiness development corporation staff will be substantial, especially when coupled with the workload from past allocations for planning, land acquisition, design, and construction projects. However, in order for agriculture to be sustainable with or without normal rainfall patterns, these capital improvement projects must move forward and be implemented in a timely manner.
The legislature further finds that while increased staffing will provide needed manpower to implement existing programs, the existing personnel cannot manage all of the consultants and contractors necessary to implement these essential projects as the workload is far too great. It is also recognized that system owners, state agencies, and farmers do not have the time, legal prowess, and funding to implement these water system improvements, therefore funding is required for consulting services to the state agencies, private system owners, and farmers to deal with this water crisis.
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 2016-2017 for automated and managed irrigation systems; system optimization; planning, environmental, and legal support; project and construction management; and agriculture water use and development program, phase III, for the projects in the following irrigation systems and statewide projects:
(1) Kahiliwai - Porter irrigation;
(2) Anahola irrigation system;
(3) Kehaka irrigation system;
(4) Kokee irrigation system;
(5) Kauai - A&B Lawai ditch;
(6) Oahu ditch;
(7) Waiahole ditch;
(8) Waimanalo ditch;
(9) Kahuku ditch;
(10) Upcountry Maui system and Kula source development;
(11) Molokai irrigation;
(12) Kehana irrigation system;
(13) Lower Hamakua irrigation system;
(14) Waimea irrigation system; and
(15) Galbraith lands.
SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended, and the bonds authorized shall be issued, by the department of agriculture and the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. The appropriation made for the capital improvement projects 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, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.
Report Title:
General Obligation Bonds; Irrigation Systems Improvements
Description:
Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for improvements to irrigation systems statewide. (HB2595 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
