STAND. COM. REP. NO.  476

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1646

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1646 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require retailers of pesticides to verbally warn purchasers of pesticides on the proper storage, disposal, and dangers of pesticides.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from ten concerned citizens.  Your Committee also received testimony opposed to this measure from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, the Hawaii Pest Control Association, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and a local retailer.

     Your Committees find that many consumers are uninformed with respect to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides.  The mishandling of pesticides can lead to the illness or injury of a pesticide user and can contaminate and threaten the health and safety of the community as well.  Your Committees, however, are cognizant of the concerns of the pesticide industry and have therefore amended the measure to:

     (1)  Require posted signs instead of verbal warning by retailers with respect to pesticides;

     (2)  Specify inclusion of information on the proper handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides, as well as emergency telephone numbers to call in case of poisoning from pesticides; and

     (3)  Require the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules concerning the content and use of the warning signs.

     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. 1646, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1646, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ HERMINA MORITA, Chair