STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1708

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 175

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 175 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO EXAMINE ORGANIC PESTICIDES FOR AUTHORIZED USE IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Study organic pesticides that are currently licensed or authorized for use in the State; and

(2) Find organic pesticides that are not currently licensed or authorized for use, or otherwise prohibited, in the State, and test those organic pesticides for authorized use in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

Your Committee finds that in recent years, organic pesticides have emerged as a popular alternative to conventional synthetic pesticides. Your Committee further finds that identifying additional organic pesticides that can be authorized for use in the State would bolster Hawaii's agricultural sustainability while minimizing lasting environmental effects.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 175 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair