HB 779 - Pesticide Disposal and Penalties

• Requires the department of agriculture, in consultation with the department of health, to develop and implement a one-time pesticide disposal collection program for agricultural entities and licensed pest control operators before July 1, 2022.

• Establishes disposal locations on Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu that provide free or low-cost disposal of restricted use and nonrestricted use pesticides, with fees potentially charged for quantities exceeding departmental limits.

• Requires the department of agriculture to convene a pesticide disposal collection program steering committee by August 1, 2021, comprised of the advisory committee on pesticides and other entities as deemed necessary.

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

• Increases criminal penalties from $25,000 to $35,000 for commercial entities and from $1,000 to $5,000 for private applicators knowingly violating pesticide laws; appropriates $800,000 for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.