Bill Text: HI HB773 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Irrigation Water Development
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB773 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB773-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
773 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO IRRIGATION WATER DEVELOPMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In 1987, the legislature determined that the development of irrigation was necessary for the development of agriculture in the State and enacted chapter 167, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Since that time, the agricultural resource management division has grown in leaps and bounds. Where once the division dealt with $2,000,000 in projects, it now must juggle over $100,000,000 in projects.
Furthermore, in 2003, through Act 90, the groundwork for the non-agricultural park lands program was created that would make the agricultural resource management division the largest land program within the department of agriculture. However, this growth in work volume and responsibility has not been matched by an increase in the necessary staffing. The agricultural resource management division has been forced to take on more responsibility with limited staffing and resources.
The purpose of this Act is to create the management framework necessary to oversee the agricultural resource management division so that it can be expanded to meet the growing responsibilities that the division faces.
SECTION 2. Section 167-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§167-3[]]
Engineering program [manager.] administrator.
The board of agriculture shall appoint a registered professional engineer
who shall act as engineering program [manager] administrator of
the irrigation water development program and have such qualifications as the
board may deem necessary. The appointment and removal of the engineering
program [manager] administrator shall be in accordance with
chapter 76 and the engineering program [manager] administrator
shall perform duties as set forth by the board."
SECTION 3. Section 167-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) All irrigation projects established pursuant to this chapter shall be administered by the board of agriculture. In making the final determination to establish a project, the board shall:
(1) Determine the proportion of acreage assessments to be borne by the agricultural land and pasture land within the project; and
(2) Have the engineering program [manager] administrator
prepare a map setting forth in detail the exterior boundaries of the lands
to be included within the project and an acreage assessment roll listing all
known land occupiers whose lands are to be included within the project. The
proportion of acreage assessments to be borne by pasture land, at the
discretion of the board, may be less than but not more than the proportion to
be borne by agricultural land, in which event the agricultural land shall be
first served with water in times of drought or shortage of supply. The
proportions to be borne by agricultural and pasture lands shall be certified by
the board and shall not be changed after final determination to establish the
project, except in conjunction with a redefinition of the boundaries of or
consolidation or separation of the project, and then only in the manner and
within the limitations specified in conjunction therewith.
The board shall determine and certify on or before June 30 of each year the amount of acreage assessments necessary in that fiscal year for the acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance of irrigation facilities for each project, and the acreage of agricultural and pasture land of each land occupier within the project. The department shall immediately notify the land occupiers of the amounts assessed on the respective properties and the payment due date."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
Irrigation Water Development
Description:
Allows for an engineering program administrator to oversee the responsibilities mandated by chapter 167, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for irrigation water development.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
