STAND. COM. REP. NO. 9

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 804

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 804 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII PESTICIDES LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the amount of pesticide use revolving fund monies the Department of Agriculture can maintain in order to allow the Department to have the necessary funds available to carry out its statutory mandate.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; We Are One, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Center for Food Safety; Western Plant Health Association; Farm Lovers Farmers Market; and eighteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the pesticide use revolving fund is comprised of funds collected by the Department of Agriculture from pesticide license fees, restricted use pesticide dealer license fees, and training fees and is used to support the pesticide program's registration and licensing, certification and education, and compliance monitoring activities.  The revolving fund may also be used to establish pesticide training workshops, educational programs, development of integrated pest management strategies, and other services to benefit users of pesticides, including collection, disposal, and recycling of pesticide containers.  Your Committee further finds that increasing the cap on unobligated, unencumbered, and unexpended funds in the revolving fund from $250,000 to $1,000,000 will increase the ability of the Department of Agriculture to conduct critical training and outreach to:

     (1)  Ensure that pesticides are not misused, as the misuse of pesticides is not only illegal but may also endanger the health of people and the environment;

     (2)  Assist in the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers; and

     (3)  Supplement environmental studies, such as groundwater reviews and water sampling activities.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 804 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair