STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1363
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 1304
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDE DRIFT MONITORING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawai‘i System; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action.
Your Committee finds that further study is
needed to assess the potential impact of pesticide drift near schools and
ensure that Hawaii's children are not exposed to off-target pesticide
applications. The Department of
Agriculture has already initiated a statewide pesticide drift monitoring study,
which plays a critical role in evaluating air concentrations of pesticides and
their potential effects on public health and the environment. This measure provides funding to continue the
study, strengthening the State's ability to assess risks, implement mitigation
strategies, and promote responsible pesticide use.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to contract with an independent consultant to conduct the study;
(2) Extending the reporting deadline to the Legislature by three years;
(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $323,484 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $311,903 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the continued monitoring of pesticide drift in schools statewide.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1304, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair |