STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2836

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2974

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2974, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Update the membership of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to replace representatives from the sugar and pineapple industries with representatives of the coffee and diversified agriculture industries; and

(2) Add a representative from the Hawaii Farmers Union United to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that while the sugar and pineapple industries were previously the major economic drivers in the State's economy, both industries have experienced a significant decline in economic and agricultural footprint. In comparison to historical data, there are fewer growers of both sugar and pineapple, leaving crucial seats on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides vacant. Updating the Advisory Committee on Pesticides composition to include current and emerging agricultural sectors such as coffee and diversified agriculture would allow for a greater pool of experts who represent various small and large growers of fruits, vegetables, and other commodities across the State.

Your Committee further finds that invasive pests, which include but are not limited to disease, insects, and plants, threaten agricultural practices in the State. While pesticides serve as one tool to allow the agricultural sector to remain viable in Hawaii, pesticide use can also become a much larger social, health, and welfare issue. To address the current state of agricultural pesticide use, this measure replaces members to reflect modern agricultural practices in the State, including adding a member who possesses knowledge and expertise on the health effects of pesticide use who will be able to provide insight on pesticide chemistry, pesticides with respect to public health, and pesticide efficacy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2974, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair