Bill Text: HI HB97 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Agriculture; Genetically Modified Organisms; Quarantine

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-28 - Re-referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 28 [HB97 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-HB97-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  249

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 97

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 97 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AGAINST INVASIVE SPECIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require a permit from the Department of Agriculture to import, introduce, or develop new species of genetically modified organisms; and

 

     (2)  Allow the Department of Agriculture to determine whether to grant a permit to import, introduce, or develop a new species of a genetically modified organism and the conditions for the permit after holding a public hearing.  

 

     The Hawaii Organic Farming Association; Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter; Babes Against Biotech; Life of the Land; GMO Free Maui, GMO Free Oahu, and GMO Free Big Island; and numerous individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  Green Point Nurseries, Inc.; Monsanto Hawaii; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and several individuals provided testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and a few individuals provided comments on this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, for the purpose of facilitating further discussion.  Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 97, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 97, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

 

 

		____________________________ JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair