HB 783: RELATING TO IRRIGATION.

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 a reliable irrigation system 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.  Increasing weather tendencies of extended drought events highlight the need for timely repair and maintenance of these systems.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for capital improvement projects for the State's irrigation systems; and

     (2)  Convert the means of financing for certain irrigation positions in the department of agriculture from the irrigation system revolving fund to the general fund.

     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 2025-2026 for the purpose of capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State; provided that the funds shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $           for Waimea irrigation system improvements on Hawaii island;

     (2)  $           for Waiahole irrigation system improvements on the island of Oahu;

     (3)  $           for Molokai irrigation system improvements;

     (4)  $           for east Maui irrigation system improvements;

     (5)  $           for Kohala ditch system improvements on Hawaii island;

     (6)  $           for upcountry Maui irrigation system improvements;

     (7)  $           for east Kauai irrigation system improvements;

     (8)  $           for Kokee irrigation system improvements on the island of Kauai;

     (9)  $           for Kekaha irrigation system improvements on the island of Kauai;

    (10)  $           for Wahiawa irrigation system improvements on the island of Oahu; and

    (11)  $           for agricultural infrastructure improvements statewide.

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

     SECTION 3.  The means of financing for the following positions within the department of agriculture shall be converted from the irrigation system revolving fund established pursuant to section 167-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the general fund:

     (1)  Account clerk III (position number 9874);

     (2)  Irrigation systems services worker I (position number 9877);

     (3)  Irrigation systems services worker I (position number 12995);

     (4)  Irrigation systems services worker I (position number 14857);

     (5)  Irrigation systems services worker II (position number 18401);

     (6)  Office assistant III (position number 47967);

     (7)  Engineer IV (position number 47978);

     (8)  Irrigation systems services worker I (position number 110416); and

     (9)  Irrigation systems services worker II (position number 117895).

     SECTION 4.  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, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Irrigation Systems; CIP; General Obligation Bonds; HDOA; Positions; Conversion; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State.  Converts the means of financing from the Irrigation System Revolving Fund to the general fund for certain positions in the Department of Agriculture.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

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 a reliable irrigation system 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.  Increasing weather tendencies of extended drought events highlight the need for timely repair and maintenance of these systems.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for capital improvement projects for the State's irrigation systems.

     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 2025-2026 for the purpose of capital improvement projects for irrigation systems.

     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, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Irrigation Systems; CIP; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  632

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 783

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 783 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Local Food Coalition; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Molokai Irrigation System User Advisory Board; Molokai Farm Bureau; and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

     Your Committee finds that a reliable irrigation system is essential for sustaining Hawaii's agricultural industry, ensuring farmers and ranchers have consistent access to water for food production, livestock management, and long-term sustainability.  Aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance have led to inefficiencies, water loss, and increased costs for agricultural producers.  By authorizing funding for irrigation system improvements, this measure supports food security, economic stability, and the State's goal of increasing agricultural self-sufficiency.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting unspecified allocation amounts for specific irrigation system improvements throughout the State;

     (2)  Converting the means of financing from the Irrigation System Revolving Fund to the general fund for certain positions in the Department of Agriculture;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $2,400,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for Waimea irrigation system improvements; $15,000,000 for Waiahole irrigation system improvements; $12,000,000 for Molokai irrigation system improvements; $20,000,000 for East Maui irrigation system improvements; $8,000,000 for Kohala ditch system improvements; $18,000,000 for Upcountry Maui irrigation system improvements; $12,000,000 for East Kauai irrigation system improvements; $9,000,000 for Kokee irrigation system improvements; $14,000,000 for Kekaha irrigation system improvements; $15,000,000 for Wahiawa irrigation system improvements; and $800,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for agricultural infrastructure improvements statewide.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 783, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 783, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,