REPORT TITLE:
Roadside Herbicide Use


DESCRIPTION:
Requires the department of transportation to adopt an integrated
vegetation management program.  Establishes the Roadside
Integrated Vegetation Management Committee. (SB531 HD1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        531
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           S.D. 2
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO ROADSIDE HERBICIDE USE.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  There are many jurisdictions in other parts of
 
 2 the country that have established successful integrated
 
 3 vegetation management programs.  When such a program is properly
 
 4 implemented, it can provide an effective and cost-efficient
 
 5 method for pest control with the least risk to human health and
 
 6 environmental degradation.  The management of vegetation along
 
 7 state and county roadsides throughout Hawaii should incorporate
 
 8 these sound practices of appropriate landscaping and plantings
 
 9 and be maintained in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
 
10 to ensure human health and safety and to enhance, protect, and
 
11 preserve the environment.
 
12      The purpose of this Act is to mandate the department of
 
13 transportation and to authorize the appropriate county agencies
 
14 to develop a strategy to implement an integrated vegetation
 
15 management program for the development of sound roadside
 
16 vegetation management practices.
 
17      SECTION 2.  Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
18 by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to
 
19 read as follows:
 

 
Page 2                                                     531
                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 2
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 1      "�264-    Integrated vegetation management program.  (a) The
 
 2 department of transportation shall adopt an integrated vegetation
 
 3 management program.  As part of this program, human health,
 
 4 safety, aesthetic, environmental, and economic concerns shall be
 
 5 established in a hierarchy which favor the use of nonchemical
 
 6 methods and is incorporated into the chosen control method as
 
 7 part of the vegetation management strategy.
 
 8      (b)  All county agencies responsible for the management of
 
 9 public roadsides may adopt an integrated vegetation management
 
10 program.
 
11      (c)  For the purpose of this section, "integrated vegetation
 
12 management" means a vegetation management strategy for the
 
13 control of weeds and other vegetation along public roads which
 
14 incorporates appropriate structural design, landscaping, and
 
15 plantings to minimize maintenance costs and reduce or eliminate
 
16 chemical control methods.
 
17      �264-      Roadside integrated vegetation management
 
18 committee.  (a)  There is created, within the department of
 
19 transportation for administrative purposes only, a roadside
 
20 integrated vegetation management committee whose duties shall
 
21 include:
 
22      (1)  Evaluating existing and new roadside vegetation
 
23           management methods, practices, and technologies;
 

 
Page 3                                                     531
                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 2
                                                        H.D. 1
                                                        

 
 1      (2)  Evaluating roadside design options to minimize the need
 
 2           for vegetation control activities;
 
 3      (3)  Planning and implementing demonstration projects
 
 4           especially to improve public and worker safety and to
 
 5           enhance aesthetic and environmental qualities; and
 
 6      (4)  Recommending policy for the implementation of an
 
 7           integrated vegetation management program for all public
 
 8           roadsides.
 
 9      (b)  The director of transportation shall appoint committee
 
10 members within sixty days from the effective date of this Act.
 
11 The members of the committee shall include, but not be limited
 
12 to:
 
13      (1)  A representative from each of the respective counties
 
14           of Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai, and the city and county of
 
15           Honolulu;
 
16      (2)  A representative with expertise in the field of
 
17           biodiversity;
 
18      (3)  A representative from the landscape architecture
 
19           profession; and
 
20      (4)  A representative from a recognized environmental
 
21           organization.
 
22      (c)  The highway administrator shall serve as the
 
23 chairperson of the committee.  Members shall serve without
 
24 compensation.
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 2
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 1      (d)  The committee shall submit annual reports, including
 
 2 any recommendations for administrative or statutory changes, to
 
 3 the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening
 
 4 of each regular session of the legislature."
 
 5      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
 6      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.