STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1722

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 136

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.R. No. 136 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STATE'S POLLINATOR SPECIES, THE THREAT THAT SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDES POSE TO SUCH SPECIES, AND URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO LIMIT POLLINATOR EXPOSURE TO NEONICOTINOIDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Recognize the importance of the State's pollinator species and the threat that systemic insecticides pose to those species; and

(2) Urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture to take measures to limit pollinator exposure to neonicotinoids.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i SEED; 350Hawaii.org; Hoola Honey Bee Relocation; Beekeeper/Waianae Hunting Association; Pesticide Action Network North America, Hawaii; and ninety-eight individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from CropLife America and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and one individual.

Your Committees find that pollinator species, including honeybees and other native bees, are vital to agricultural production in the State. Your Committees further find that a particular class of systemic insecticides, neonicotinoids, are a significant threat to the existence of pollinator species. Your Committees therefore find that this measure urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture to protect Hawaii's pollinator species, restrict the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, and submit a report to the Legislature on the measures taken and any proposed legislation necessary to limit pollinator exposure to neonicotinoids.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

Your Committees note that the Department of Agriculture should take the lead in taking measures and proposing legislation to limit pollinator exposure to neonicotinoids.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 136, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 136, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair