STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2729

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2110

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2110, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Agriculture for administrative costs related to the regulation of restricted use pesticides and for the hiring of three pesticide inspector positions, including fringe benefits.  

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Kauai County Council Chair, three Kauai County Council members, PAN North America, the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, and nine individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that there is increasing concern regarding the use of restricted use pesticides by major seed companies.  Your Committee further finds that for the Department of Agriculture to properly address concerns regarding the use of restricted use pesticides, additional pesticide inspector positions and funding are needed.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum;

     (2)  Adding language to clarify that the appropriation is for three full-time equivalent pesticide inspector positions;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

(4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of style and clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2110, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2110, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair