THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2713
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PESTICIDE BUFFER ZONES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Senior Safe Zone Act".

SECTION 2. The legislature finds that older adults are especially vulnerable to the drift from toxic pesticides due to the slower processing of chemicals within their bodies. Chronic exposure to pesticidal toxins has been linked to cancer, Parkinson's disease, and dementia, and may shorten lifespans.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish buffer zones for pesticide use around elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions, to give kupuna a healthier environment, reduce the chances for illness, and provide them with more quality years with their families.

SECTION 3. Section 149A-28, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§149A-28[]] Buffer zones. (a) Beginning January 1, 2019, no person shall apply a restricted use pesticide on or within one hundred feet of a school property during normal school hours; provided that this [section] subsection shall not apply to whole structure fumigation; provided further that if this section is determined to conflict with any pesticide application information listed on the pesticide label, the more restrictive provision shall apply.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2027, no person shall apply a restricted use pesticide on or within one-half mile of an elderly health care facility; provided that this subsection shall not apply to:

(1) Whole structure fumigation;

(2) Invasive species control conducted by the department or by any invasive species committee organized under the pacific cooperative studies unit project of the university of Hawaii;

(3) Restrictive use pesticides used by the department of health; and

(4) Pesticides specifically used for the purposes of treating and preserving wood;

provided further that if this subsection is determined to conflict with any pesticide application information listed on the pesticide label, the more restrictive provision shall apply.

For the purposes of this subsection, "elderly health care facility" means any licensed hospital, institution, place, or building, or portion thereof, private or public, other than federal facilities or services, whether organized for profit or not, used, operated, or designed to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care to any person or persons aged sixty-two or older."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Restricted Use Pesticides; Elderly Health Care Facilities; Buffer Zone; Exemptions; Invasive Species Control

Description:

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the application of restricted use pesticides within a half-mile radius of elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.