HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1661
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

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

     SECTION 1.  On the island of Molokai, pineapple growing and packing was the island's primary industry and economic mainstay for more than fifty years.

While the pineapple industry has left the island, residual impacts on the soil from the industry's large scale use of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other soil and plant production enhancing substances over many decades may linger on.  For Molokai, an island noted for having unique health needs arising from geographic isolation and limited resources, the adverse health consequences of such residual impacts is of great concern.  Furthermore, of particular concern is the adverse health consequences to children, since it has been found that children are more susceptible and sensitive to exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides.

The purpose of this Act is to study:

(1)  The residual impacts on the soil of the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other soil and plant production enhancing substances by the plantation agriculture industry on the island of Molokai; and

(2)  The adverse health effects of these residual impacts and how to address them.

     SECTION 2.  The director of health shall contract for a study of:

(1)  The residual impacts on the soil from the use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other soil and plant production enhancing substances by the plantation agriculture industry on the island of Molokai; and

(2)  The short- and long-term health effects of these residual impacts on the people of Molokai, including, in particular, the children of Molokai.

     The study shall also review and recommend actions to mitigate or eliminate the adverse health effects identified, including a cost to benefit analysis of the mitigation and elimination actions considered, and recommend mechanisms for funding the recommended actions.

     SECTION 3.  The chairperson of the board of agriculture shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the director of health for purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The director of health shall prepare a report, including findings, recommendations, and any necessary proposed legislation, based on the study required by this Act.  The director shall submit the report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the contract for the study required by this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Plantation Agriculture Industry; Molokai; Soil Condition; Health

Description:

Requires the Director of Health to contract for a study on the health effects on Molokai residents due to the condition of the soil resulting from the plantation agriculture industry.  Effective July 1, 2014.

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