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Senate AEN panel advises and consents to Matthew Liam for pesticides advisory post
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Summary
The Senate AEN Committee voted to advise and consent to Matthew Liam’s second-term nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides after testimony from the Department of Agriculture and stakeholders and brief questioning on restricted-use pesticide practices and buffer zones.
Matthew Liam was advised and consented by the Senate AEN Committee on March 4, 2026, to serve another term on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.
The committee chair recommended confirmation and members present voted in favor. Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity chair Sharon Hurd told the committee the Pesticides Branch “appreciates his service in the past year” and urged support for Liam’s confirmation. Christy Martin of the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) and Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau also testified in support, citing his work with the Landscape Industry Council and longstanding industry relationships.
During questioning, Senator Richards asked Liam how he approaches restricted-use pesticides and buffer zones near schools, parks and health-care facilities. Liam said he obtained a restricted-use license primarily to gain training and to apply rigorous protocols across his staff, and that in 25 years running his landscape company “we actually didn’t use any restricted-use pesticides.” He added that buffer-zone policy should depend on the specific pesticide, the use case and the site’s circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.
The committee recorded the chair and vice chair voting aye; Senator Rhodes and Senator Aawa registered affirmative votes, and Senator DeCoite was excused. The motion to advise and consent was adopted.
Next steps: Liam’s confirmation proceeds as the committee recommended.
