STAND. COM. REP. NO. 862-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2337

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2337, 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 amend the membership of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides by replacing the statutory requirement for representatives from the pineapple and sugar industries with representatives from the coffee and diversified agriculture industries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action.

Your Committee finds that the purpose of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides is to advise and assist the Department of Agriculture in developing or revising pesticide laws and rules and to advise on pesticide problems.

Your Committee further finds that the membership of the Advisory Committee is specific and broad-based and includes representatives from industries that make or use pesticides.  However, under existing statute, the industries selected to be represented no longer reflect the contemporary configuration of the agriculture industry in the State. Due to the loss of the sugar industry in Hawaii, the dramatic decrease in pineapple production, and the rise in acreage and economic significance of the diversified agriculture and coffee industries, it is appropriate that the Advisory Committee membership be statutorily updated to reflect the contemporary configuration of the agriculture industry in the State.

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. 2337, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair