HI HCR24

Department of Agriculture must submit a report on pesticide inspections conducted over the past five years, including findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation.

Report must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023.

Resolution requests the Department strengthen statewide enforcement of restricted use pesticide violations in response to documented cases of pesticide misuse causing worker injuries and environmental contamination.

Highlights previous violations including a 2016 incident on Kauai where 19 workers were exposed to chlorpyrifos, resulting in federal settlements and fines totaling millions of dollars.

Notes that under current state law, first-time pesticide regulation violations by applicators receive only written warnings regardless of whether injury or illness resulted.