STAND. COM. REP. NO. 170-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2136

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2136 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture to establish and implement a pesticide inspection program to increase compliance with the proper use of restricted use pesticides by agricultural producers, ensure the continued prohibition on the use of chlorpyrifos, and inform the public of the most recent pesticide inspection results for agricultural producers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that pesticide exposure can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. Additionally, restricted use pesticides have been deemed to have high potential to cause harm to surrounding communities, farm workers, pollinators, the environment, and other crops. This measure increases compliance with the proper use of certain pesticides and further protects the health of Hawaii's environment and people.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to include specific geospatial data information about specific restricted use pesticide application locations;

(2) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides;

(3) Removing the gross income threshold in the definition of "agricultural producer";

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 2136, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2136, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair