STAND. COM. REP. NO.  271-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2721

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2721 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the State's environment and residents from the unintended impacts of pesticide use by implementing the recommendation of the Joint Fact Finding Study Group's report that the Good Neighbor Program for pesticide reporting be revised and expanded by:

 

     (1)  Making the reporting guidelines of the Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program mandatory for all users of restricted pesticides across the State; and

 

     (2)  Establishing disclosure and public notification requirements for outdoor applications of any pesticides by any person or entity required to file annual reports under the Agricultural Good Neighbor Program.

 

     A Kauai County Councilmember, Civic Education Council, Maui Farmers Union United, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Beelieve Hawaii, Hawaii Children's Action Network, GMO Free Hawaii Island, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Pono Hawaii Initiative, StressFreeSouls, Hawaii Nurses Association OPEIU Local 50, Ohana O Kauai, Momilani Farm, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Cuddle Party, Patients Without Time, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, Beyond Pesticides, IMUAlliance, Citizens4AHealthierMaui, Life of the Land, We Are One, Inc., and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, The Society for Hawaii Heritage Animals, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Western Plant Health Association, Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, and many concerned individuals opposed this measure.   

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2721, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2721, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture,

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair