HONOLULU — Hawaii took another step closer to pesticide regulation on Friday after the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill aimed at disclosure, buffer zones, and a phased ban on the use of chlorpyrifos.
Senate Bill 3095HD1 is now headed to the Senate.
Rep. Dee Morikwa, in whose district much of the regulation would occur, said the bill is the best compromise she’s seen so far in the ongoing conversation about pesticides.
“I support the safe use of it and I’ve been against a lot of bills in the past, but this bill is the best compromise and I think it’s something that’s finally time we pass,” Morikawa said.
The bill incorporates parts of the current voluntary good neighbor program, increases funding to the Department of Agriculture for pesticide education and investigation, bans all restrictive use pesticides within 100 feet of schools during instructional hours, and phases out chlorpyrifos over a three-year period.
“The bill attempts to find a middle ground to move forward,” said Rep. Nadine Nakamura.
Opponents of pesticide regulation cite potential to hurt small farmers and the encroachment of those rules into households that use products containing restricted-use-pesticides as reasons for dissent.
It was passed with unanimous support in the House on Friday.
“This bill’s focus is on children’s safety. If you’re doing any RUP (application) near the school, that should be done when it’s not in operation and that’s a good place for focus,” Morikawa said.
While House Representatives gave the okay to SB 3095HD1, advocates of pesticide regulation said it’s not quite as potent as they’d like and the provisions are modest.
“This is a clean and straightforward bill. I believe the House has actually ‘threaded the needle’ and balanced the needs of the various stakeholders as best as could be done, given the legislative history,” said Gary Hooser, president of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action.
He continued: “Yes, I wish it was stronger in various areas but SB3095HD1 represents a meaningful change in public policy and has tangible benefits to health and environmental protection.”
Morikawa said she thinks the bill is a good starting point, even though not everyone is 100 percent happy with it. Even she has a few lingering questions.
“About the chlorpyrifos, I have concerns. I don’t know what farmers will be affected by this bill,” she said.
But, because the bill’s essence is the protection of children’s health in schools, Morikawa gave it her blessing.
“As long as the industry is following the law and doing what they’re supposed to do, I’m in support of that,” she said. “In the long run it’s about science and food production and I’m a strong supporter. This makes sure that the kids are save.”
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Jessica Else, environmental reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
