STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2038-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 67

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 67 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON PESTICIDE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND STRENGTHEN STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE VIOLATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2023 on pesticide inspections conducted within the past five years and strengthen statewide enforcement of restricted use pesticide requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that failure to adhere to restricted use pesticide requirements poses a significant risk to public health and the environment. Your Committee also finds that despite federal and state regulations regarding restricted use pesticides, these pesticides continue to be misused within the State. By requesting the Department of Agriculture to submit a report on pesticide inspections and strengthen enforcement of restricted use pesticide requirements in the State, your Committee believes that this measure is crucial to protecting public health and ensuring public confidence in the State's oversight of pesticide use.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 67 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair