STAND. COM. REP. 119

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1038

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1038 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ROADSIDE HERBICIDE USE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to minimize the use of herbicides in controlling roadside vegetation. Specifically, this bill:

(1) Requires state agencies responsible for the maintenance of public roadsides to adopt an integrated vegetation management program that includes the use of nonchemical, nonmechanical, and nonmanual methods whenever feasible;

(2) Encourages county governmental agencies responsible for the maintenance of public roadsides to adopt an integrated vegetation management program that includes the use of nonchemical, nonmechanical, and nonmanual methods whenever feasible;

(3) Requires development of an integrated vegetation management strategy for the control of weeds along public roads with an overall goal of minimizing and reducing herbicide use; and

(4) Creates a roadside vegetation committee appointed by the Director of Transportation to address the issues and concerns of roadside vegetation management and herbicide use.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) testified in support of the intent of this measure. Hawaiian Alliance for Responsible Technology & Science testified in opposition to this measure.

Maintenance of roadsides by state agencies currently employs the use of herbicides to mitigate tort claims arising from the use of mechanical or manual devices to control vegetation. The use of herbicides to control vegetation not only may be harmful to humans, but also could contribute to nonpoint source pollution of streams, coastal areas, and ground water.

Your Committee understands that certain conditions may necessitate the use of herbicides and that DOT no longer uses herbicides near schools, water courses, and residential areas, or during periods of high winds. Despite this fact, your Committee feels that the importance of this measure to public health and safety, as well as the environment, warrants its further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1038 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair