Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1946 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect the environment and public health by regulating the use of hazardous waste in fertilizer.

Specifically, the measure: establishes standards on toxic metals and other contaminants in fertilizers; establishes a process to register fertilizers with the State of Hawaii; and requires full regulation of waste derived fertilizer in Hawaii.

The Conservation Council of Hawaii, Safe Food and Fertilizer, and a concerned citizen submitted testimony in support of this measure, and the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Health, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaiian Alliance for Responsible Technology and Science opposed this measure.

Your Committees find that this measure will put in place much needed standards and procedures for the regulation of hazardous wastes in fertilizer. Currently, there are no regulations regarding the sale, distribution, and use of fertilizers, soil amendments, and liming materials within our State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1946, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1946, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.