STAND. COM. REP. NO.  377

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 252

      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. 252 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address environmental and health questions regarding pesticide use by large-scale commercial agriculture by appropriating funds for the implementation of the recommendations published in the Joint Fact Finding Study Group's report on pesticide use by large agribusiness on Kauai.

The Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawaii Nurses Association, OPEIU Local 50, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, We Are One Inc., GMO Free Kauai, Pesticide Action Network North America, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Western Plant Health Association, Monsanto, CropLife America, Nalo Farms, Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, and numerous concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and two individuals provided comments.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by changing:

     (1)  The appropriation amount from $3,000,000 to an unspecified sum; and

     (2)  Its effective date to July 31, 2150, to facilitate further discussion.

     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. 252, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 252, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair