STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1067

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 692

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 692, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase administrative and criminal penalties for violators of the Hawaii Pesticides Law.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawai‘i SEED, Kanalani Ohana Farm, Imua Alliance, Democratic Party of Hawai‘i Education Caucus, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Pest Control Association; Aloha Termite & Pest Control; Bowman Termite & Pest Management, LLC; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association.

Your Committee finds that this measure would protect Hawaii's residents and environment from illegal pesticide use by increasing the monetary fines for commercial and private pesticide applicators who violate pesticide laws.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 692, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair