HB873

Hawaii HB873 expands pesticide buffer zones around schools from 100 feet to one-half mile to protect children from health risks.

Hawaii HB873 aims to enhance school safety by increasing the pesticide buffer zone around schools from 100 feet to one-half mile. This change is intended to protect children from the health hazards associated with pesticide drift, which can cause both short-term and long-term health issues. The bill also allows the use of restricted-use pesticides within the buffer zone for invasive species control by the Department of Agriculture or committees under the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.