HONOLULU — The House Finance Committee passed a bill Wednesday involving vegetative buffer zones around schools to protect against large-scale industrial pesticide use.
The measure included an amendment that would prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos beginning Jan. 1, but provides an exemption for farmers for a three-year period if they provide public disclosure.
Finance Chair Sylvia Luke also proposed that large commercial agricultural businesses that use 35 pounds or 35 gallons of non-diluted, restricted-use pesticides must file an annual report listing the type of restricted-use pesticides used, the quantity and location of the use.
Senate Bill 3095 SD1 HD1 will next go to the full House for a vote.
“I believe the proposed amendments help to address concerns raised by various stakeholders and reflect a compromise on how to move forward as a state,” wrote Rep. Nadine Nakamura.
The bill also calls for no spraying of pesticides within 100 feet of every school during school instructional hours and increasing the Pesticide Revolving Fund cap from $250,000 to $1 million to give the state Department of Agriculture resources for outreach and education, as well as to hire two additional full-time positions.
“This bill attempts to protect students in our schools, promote responsible use of pesticides, address human health concerns and give the State Department of Agriculture additional tools to do their work,” Nakamura said.
Opponents of the bill argue that chlorpyrifos and other pesticides are safe as long as they are used according to instructions.
Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-North Kona, a member of the House Finance Committee, said the Legislature doesn’t want to make things harder on farmers who already navigate a difficult industry, but that the health of mothers and their children should take precedent.
“I feel there’s some pretty strong evidence that chlorpyrifos has some really concerning impacts on human health,” Lowen said.
The Garden Island contributed to this report.