HI HB779

Requires the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and implement a one-time pesticide disposal collection program by July 1, 2022, providing free or low-cost disposal for agricultural entities and licensed pest control operators.

Establishes disposal locations on Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu islands for restricted use and nonrestricted use pesticides, with no fee up to a maximum weight or volume determined by the department.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to convene a steering committee by August 1, 2021, comprising the advisory committee on pesticides and representatives of the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center to guide and monitor the program.

Increases administrative penalties from $5,000 to $10,000 for commercial applicators and from $1,000 to $5,000 for private applicators violating pesticide laws.

Increases criminal penalties from $25,000 to $35,000 for commercial applicators and from $1,000 to $5,000 for private applicators knowingly violating pesticide laws, and increases penalties for fraudulent use of proprietary information from $10,000 to $10,000 with up to three years imprisonment.

Appropriates $800,000 for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to establish and operate the pesticide disposal collection program.