STAND. COM. REP. NO. 269-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2722

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2722 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to defend and protect Hawaii's public health, agricultural economy, and natural ecosystems by, after December 31, 2020, prohibiting the application of neonicotinoid insecticides and glyphosate herbicides without a license or permit issued by the State on State public lands under certain conditions.

Dupont Pioneer, Beyond Pesticides, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Patients Without Time, Hawaii Nurses Association, OPEIU Local 50, Maui Farmers Union United, GMO Free Kaua‘i, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, We Are One, Inc., StressFreeSouls, Puna Pono Alliance, Cuddle Party, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, Life of the Land, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, GMO Free Hawai‘i Island, BEElieve Hawaii, and numerous individuals supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, The Society for Hawaii Heritage Animals, Western Plant Health Association, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Monsanto Company, and many individuals opposed this measure. The Hawaii Pest Control Association provided comments.

Your Committees note that the United States Fish and Wildlife Services already phased out neonicotinoid insecticides in 2014.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Allowing the use of neonicotinoid insecticide or glyphosate herbicide for the purpose of structural pest control without a license or permit; and

(2) Changing its effective date to January 28, 2045, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2722, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2722, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair