STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3315

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 3315 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides used; and

(2) Establish a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools and state and county public parks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hui O Kuapa; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; We Are One, Inc.; Hawaii Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action Inc; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Education Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Beyond Pesticides; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Beyond Organic Consulting Inc.; Mohala Farms; Kanalani Ohana Farm; and seventy-three individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Sugarland Farms, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that pesticide exposure can cause significant harm to public health and the environment, especially restricted use pesticides, as deemed by the State. Your Committee further finds that many residents are especially concerned regarding the long-term health effects and potential negative impacts of pesticide drift on children, particularly due to the prevailing trade winds that blow throughout the State. According to testimony received by your Committee, leading academic institutions have published peer reviewed research, some funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, that clearly demonstrates that a half mile buffer zone is required to provide adequate health protection for children from pesticide exposure. This measure seeks to further ensure that data is collected regarding restricted use pesticide use is standardized and that highly sensitive areas, such as schools and public parks, are protected from the potential negative effects of long-term pesticide exposure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3315 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair