(BIVN) – A Hawaiʻi County Council committee gave its initial approval to a bill on Tuesday that would end the County’s use of herbicides in maintaining county parks and roads.

The council’s Committee on Agricultural, Water, Energy and Environmental Management voted to advance Bill 101 to the full council with a positive recommendation. All 7 councilmembers present for the hearing voted in favor of the bill. Councilmembers Tim Richards and Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder were excused.

The bill, introduced by Kona councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, will prohibit the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides on all county-owned parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks, trails, drainage ways, and waterways. It also calls for for a four-year transition period and establishes a Vegetation Management Transition Commission. The bill exempts County agricultural lands that are leased out to any other entity besides the County.