STAND. COM. REP. NO.  376

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 253

      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. 253 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the use of pesticides containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos within the State.

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, We Are One, Inc., GMO Free Kaua‘i, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Earth As One, Hawaii Nurses Association OPEIU Local 50, GMO Free Maui, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, A‘a Li‘i Farm, Ohana Farms, Kauai Beekeepers Association, and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.  Department of Agriculture, CropLife America, Western Plant Health Association, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Tropical Flowers Express, Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Dow Agroscience, Hawaii Farmers & Ranchers United, Dole Food Company Hawaii, and many concerned individuals opposed this measure.  Several concerned individuals provided comments.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 31, 2050, to encourage 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. 253, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 253, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair