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Bill

HB 986

RELATING TO THE PESTICIDE USE REVOLVING FUND.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

Hawaii bill HB 986 establishes a pesticide use revolving fund to provide dedicated, sustained financing for pesticide management and regulatory programs without annual legislative appropriations.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#departmentofagriculture #pesticideuserevolvingfund #pesticides
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Bill Summary · HB 986

Legislative bill overview

HB 986 establishes or modifies a pesticide use revolving fund in Hawaii, creating a mechanism to finance pesticide-related programs through a sustainable funding model where revenues are reinvested into the fund. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and has been referred to the Agriculture and Finance committees for review.

Why is this important

Revolving funds provide ongoing, dedicated revenue streams without requiring annual appropriations, allowing agricultural agencies to plan long-term pesticide management, safety, and regulatory programs more predictably. Hawaii's agricultural sector relies heavily on pest management, making stable funding mechanisms critical for protecting both crops and environmental/public health standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue source unclear – The bill's specific mechanism for generating revolving fund revenue (pesticide registration fees, sales taxes, or other levies) is not detailed in available materials, which could affect agricultural input costs
  • Fund sustainability and oversight – Questions about whether the fund will be adequately capitalized, how withdrawals are controlled, and what accountability measures prevent fund depletion or misuse
  • Agricultural burden vs. public benefit – Debate over whether pesticide-related costs should be borne primarily by the agricultural industry through fees or shared more broadly through general taxation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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