Bill > SB690

This bill authorizes significant agricultural infrastructure funding across Hawaii for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with three main components. First, the director of finance is authorized to issue $342,070,000 in general obligation bonds for various agricultural improvement projects statewide, including irrigation system upgrades, agricultural park improvements, and infrastructure development across multiple islands like Oahu, Hawaii, Molokai, and Kauai. These projects range from designing and constructing improvements to specific irrigation systems like the Lower Hamakua Irrigation Ditch and Waimanalo Irrigation System, to enhancing agricultural parks such as Kahuku and Royal Kunia. Second, the bill appropriates $9,500,000 for establishing, operating, and administering a food and product innovation network, to be managed by the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Lastly, the bill allocates $4,411,426 to retire outstanding debt on the Waiahole water system. The legislation recognizes the critical importance of reliable agricultural infrastructure in Hawaii, particularly in light of increasing environmental challenges like drought and wildfires, and aims to support local agricultural producers by improving land and water resources. The appropriated funds will not lapse until June 30, 2028, and the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=690&year=2026