STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2993

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2713

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2713, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PESTICIDE BUFFER ZONES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is, beginning January 1, 2027, to prohibit the application of restricted use pesticides within a half-mile radius of elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Green Party of Hawaiʻi, Kanalani Ohana Farm, Kauai Women's Caucus, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, and twenty-six individuals.

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

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and American Chemistry Council.

Your Committee finds that scientific evidence has shown that pesticide exposure is associated with increased risks for certain diseases, including asthma, neurodevelopmental harm, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Additionally, the elderly are particularly vulnerable because they often experience overlapping health conditions due to advanced age. This measure will establish stronger buffer zones to prevent illness amongst the elderly caused by chemical toxicity from the application of pesticides.

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. 2713, S.D. 1, 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