HI HB594

Appropriates $1,000,000 in general obligation bond funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the Board of Water Supply to design and construct one exploratory well for the proposed Kunia Wells IV pump station on Oahu.

The exploratory well is intended to provide additional potable water supply for growth, including diversified agriculture, to meet future water requirements.

The Board of Water Supply agreed to use benefits from this well to offset capacity impact fees (water system facilities charges) for new farmers, supporting the agricultural industry on Oahu.

Appropriation is for fiscal year 2019-2020 and shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium; any unencumbered funds lapse on June 30, 2022.

Addresses legislature's finding that new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act rules require farmers to have greater access to potable water for irrigation and crop washing, and that capacity impact fee increases could significantly impact new farmers.