STAND. COM. REP. NO. 605-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2136

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2136, H.D. 1, 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 Beyond Organic Consulting, Inc.; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaii Food+ Policy; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Sugarland Farms, Inc.; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and CropLife America.

Your Committee finds that restricted use pesticides can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. Restricted use pesticides have been deemed to have a high potential to cause harm to surrounding communities, farm workers, pollinators, the environment, and other crops. Your Committee further finds that comprehensive pesticide use data can help accurately assess risks and ensure that communities are protected from adverse impacts associated with restricted use pesticides. This measure further bolsters the Department of Agriculture's regulatory supervision over pesticide use in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting provisions that required the inclusion of specific geospatial data information about restricted use pesticide application locations; and

(2) 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2136, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2136, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair