STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2499

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2103

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2103 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 and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied; and

(2) Beginning January 1, 2027, establish a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Green Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and thirty-five individuals.

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

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that pesticide drift, when aerosolized chemical pesticides travel to adjacent areas after its application, has been demonstrated to cause acute health effects, particularly in children. Restricted use pesticides, which are prohibited for use by the general public, have been found to be particularly harmful to humans. This measure, which clarifies standards and further regulates the use of restricted use pesticides, aims to protect communities and children from the neurological and acute health effects of pesticides.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony by the Department of Health that restricted use pesticides are necessary for the operations of the Vector Control Branch of the Department of Health. Further, your Committee notes concerns that licensed pesticide applicators already use best management practices to minimize exposure. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Exempting the Department of Health and licensed pest control operators from the restricted use pesticides one-half mile buffer zone requirement; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 2103, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2103, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair