STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2872

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3026

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 3026 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to replace representatives of the sugar and pineapple industries on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides with representatives of the coffee and diversified agriculture industries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

Your Committee finds that there has been a significant reduction in the agricultural footprint of the sugar and pineapple industries in the State since the Advisory Committee on Pesticides was established. Coffee is now among the top three most economically significant crops in the State, and diversified agriculture and minor crops comprise a large portion of agricultural production in the State. Your Committee believes that as the State's agricultural landscape evolves, it is imperative that advisory committees reflect these changes to provide effective guidance and oversight. This measure will bring much-needed expertise and perspective to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and ensure that decisions regarding pesticide regulations and management strategies are informed by a diverse range of stakeholders.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3026 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair