STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2210

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2513

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2513 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to support three additional inspector positions on the island of Oahu within the Department of Agriculture's Pesticides Branch.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Center for Food Safety, and nine individuals.

     Your Committees find that many Hawaii residents are concerned that there is insufficient oversight of restricted use pesticides, particularly on the island of Oahu.  Your Committees find that to address public concerns, and in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, it is of utmost importance that the Department of Agriculture has the proper funding to ensure there are a sufficient number of pesticide inspectors to properly administer and regulate restricted use pesticides in accordance with the Hawaii Pesticides Law.  Your Committees further find that additional pesticide inspectors on Oahu will help bolster the enforcement capacity to respond to pesticide odor complaints, conduct investigations in a timely manner, and regulate the use of restricted use pesticides and the sale, transport, and use of general use pesticides.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2513 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, and Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair