SB3170 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3170
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Pesticides.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, although pesticides can help limit the environmental and economic damage that can be caused by insects, weeds, and plant diseases, they can also pose tremendous risks to human health and the environment.

The purpose of this Act is to protect children from the dangers associated with pesticide exposure by establishing a working group to develop an action plan for addressing incidents of pesticide exposure at public schools and a monitoring program for affected schools.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture a working group on pesticide use in proximity to schools that shall be comprised of:

(1) The advisory committee on pesticides established pursuant to section 149A-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(2) Two representatives of the department of education, which shall include a school administrator and a teacher from school districts that contain schools located in close proximity to areas where commercial application has or is likely to occur.

(b) The working group on pesticide use in proximity to schools shall:

(1) Develop an action plan for addressing adverse incidents of pesticide exposure at public schools;

(2) Develop a monitoring program for affected schools;

(3) Investigate and issue findings, that include conditions and requirements under which commercial application may resume, on adverse incidents of pesticide exposure at public schools;

(4) Study the effects of the use of pesticides in the proximity of schools, including determining the necessity and propriety of establishing a pesticide-free buffer zone around schools and the extent of such buffer zone;

(5) Determine what, if any, restrictions are necessary for the use of EPA category I and II and restricted and other pesticides within close proximity to schools; and

(6) Make recommendations to the legislature on pesticide usage or restrictions in proximity to schools and necessary changes to the law.

(c) The working group on pesticide use in proximity to schools shall submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009; provided that an earlier or additional report may be submitted to the legislature, as necessary, to address pressing issues.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.