STAND. COM. REP. NO.  714

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1282

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1282 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSECTICIDE AND HERBICIDE USE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's public health, agricultural economy, and fragile ecosystem by:

     (1)  Prohibiting the application of glyphosate herbicides and neonicotinoid insecticides on any public land owned or maintained by the State without a license or permit issued by the State or federal government;

     (2)  Allowing counties to adopt stricter prohibitions on the use of glyphosate herbicides and neonicotinoid insecticides; and

     (3)  Stipulating that, where a conflict exists between State law and county ordinance or rule, the stricter prohibition shall apply.

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawaii Nurses Association, OPEIU Local 50, GMO Free Maui, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Progressive Democrats of Hawaii, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, GMO Free Kauai, We Are One, Inc., and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Maui County Farm Bureau, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Western Plant Health Association, Hawaii Pest Control Association, Monsanto Hawaii, Island Princess Macadamia Nut Company, Croplife America, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farmers & Ranchers United, and several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to facilitate further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1282, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1282, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair