Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to establish a labeling program for fertilizers.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Malu `Aina Farm, Life of the Land, the Respiratory and Environmental Disabilities Association of Hawaii, and two individuals. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Hawaiian Alliance for Responsible Technology of Science. Comments were submitted by the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the labeling requirement of this measure will enable consumers to make informed decisions prior to using a fertilizer, by requiring information about the presence of hazardous or waste-derived substances in the fertilizer.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 2.