S.R. No. 15 - Summary

• Request that the Department of Agriculture implement differentiated water toll rates and charges for the Hamakua District irrigation system to reduce costs for agricultural users and promote increased farming activity.

• Authorize the Board of Agriculture under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapters 141, 167, and 168 to set water toll rates that account for different irrigation systems in different locations and different classes of water users.

• Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2014 Regular Session on the status and progress of implementing differentiated water toll rates for the Hamakua District.

• Establish the Hamakua District as an initial pilot for a statewide system of differentiated water rates designed to make irrigation more affordable and expand agricultural production, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and aquaponics operations.