STAND. COM. REP. NO.  934

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 889

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 889, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect the environment and public safety by:

(1)  Increasing the pesticide licensing fee and requiring the annual renewal of the license;

(2)  Amending authorized uses for moneys in the Pesticide Use Revolving Fund;

(3)  Requiring a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Agriculture (Department) and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) regarding the expenditure of funds from the Pesticide Use Revolving Fund and a report to the Legislature;

(4)  Establishing an environmental toxicologist position within the Department and a pesticide extension specialist, through a contract with the Department, within CTAHR; and

(5)  Appropriating unspecified funds out of the Pesticide Use Revolving Fund for specific purposes.

The University of Hawaii CTAHR, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Western Plant Health Association, CropLife America, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 889, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair