STAND. COM. REP. NO.  647

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 673

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 673, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to better address public health and environmental issues relating to pesticide use by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture to post information regarding the use of restricted use pesticides on its website; and

     (2)  Requiring the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study regarding other states' pesticide reporting and registration requirements and report its findings to the Legislature.  

Kauai Rising; Ho‘okipa Network, Kauai; Kauai Network for the Chemically Injured; and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Hawaii Crop Improvement Association opposed this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii County Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Pest Control Association, Occupy Monsanto Maui, Babes Against Biotech, and numerous individuals offered comments.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 673, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair