SB 352 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Summary

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB352_SD1_SFA2 → SB352_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Hawaii's pesticide regulations to require the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement when reporting pesticide use to the public, and establishes a one-half mile buffer zone around schools during normal school hours and around state and county public parks to prevent pesticide drift from affecting children. The changes expand protections beyond the previous 100-foot buffer zone, which research shows is insufficient given that pesticide drift can travel up to 0.8 mile from application sites.

Scope change

The bill expands the geographic scope of pesticide application restrictions from a 100-foot buffer zone to a one-half mile buffer zone around schools and public parks, and adds a requirement for consistent measurement units in public pesticide use reports.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement when summarizing restricted use pesticide applications for public disclosure

Changed the pesticide application buffer zone from 100 feet to one-half mile around schools during normal school hours and around state and county public parks

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date of the buffer zone requirement from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2026

DEFINITION

Clarifies that pesticide drift can occur through spray, mist, fumes, odor during application, or volatilization of previously treated areas

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR, CPC, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 391) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante, Inouye, McKelvey, Richards . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Report filed.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Separated Committee Report.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted as amended (SD 2).

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment No. 2 offered.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Hashimoto, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Inouye ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 10:16AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 44) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors