SB3095CD1 was passed unanimously by the Senate/House Conference Committee!

We still must pass floor votes in both the House and the Senate tomorrow Tuesday May 1, starting at around 10am in the Senate and 9am in the House.  The next and final step of course is the desk of Governor David Ige.

But today we celebrate our win and give thanks to all who have helped.  The list is long and I will not attempt to list them here at this moment.

But you know who you are.  Every one of you who called, sent an email, showed up to testify in person, walked the halls at the Capitol, wrote a letter to the newspaper or showed up at a rally or march.  You are the ones who deserve credit for this win.

And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Please relish this moment of success, and then take a moment to thank your District Representative and Senator (contact info is below)

They each will vote again on this issue, Tuesday morning and you can be sure between now and then the Hawai’i Crop Improvement Association (HCIA) will be lobbying them heavily doing everything they can to stop or reverse this vote.

This is the first time ever the Hawaii legislature has gone against the wishes of the HCIA (Monsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Syngenta/Hartung etc) and you can bet, they are working around the clock at this very moment strategizing on how to beat us.  FWIW: Dow Chemical is the primary manufacturer and seller of chlorpyrifos.

Here are three excellent reports on what happened on Friday and further describe the content of SB3095CD1.

http://www.thegardenisland.com/2018/04/28/hawaii-news/committee-oks-pesticide-bill/

http://hawaiiindependent.net/story/hawaii-could-become-the-first-state-to-ban-chlorpyrifos

http://www.civilbeat.org/2018/04/pesticide-compromise-reached-as-conference-committee-time-expires/

Here is contact info for the entire Senate (by District):
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=S

Here is contact info for the entire House (by District):
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H

Please make the effort to identify and thank specifically YOUR DISTRICT Senate and House member.

Please also if you can give a special shout out of thanks to:

*Senator Russell Ruderman the Bills primary introducer

*Kauai Representative Dee Morikawa who played an essential role in bringing key legislators to the table allowing a meaningful measure to emerge.

*Senator Mike Gabbard who is Chair of the Environment and Agriculture Committee, and has been steadfast in his leadership and commitment in passing the Bill.

*Representative Chris Lee who has been with us year after year, and whose leadership on this and on so many issues relating to environmental protection is invaluable.

*Representative Richard Creagan (MD), whose initiative and advocacy resulted in the ban on chlorpyrifos being a critical part of the Bill.

And of course, Speaker of the House Representative Scott Saiki, Senate President Ronald Kouchi, House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke and Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz who recognize the importance of the issue, and that this measure at this time, deserved to be passed into law.

Mahalo to all!

Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com