Bill Text: HI SB709 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Genetically Engineered Organisms; Taro
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB709 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB709-Amended.html
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 190
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 709
S.D. 1
Honorable Colleen Hanabusa
President of the Senate
Twenty-Fifth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2009
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 709 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to impose a moratorium on genetically modifying any Hawaiian taro within the State of Hawaii and on testing, planting, or growing any Hawaiian taro within the State that has been genetically modified outside the State.
Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one state agency, three private organizations, and three individuals. Testimony in support, with comments or suggested amendments, was submitted by one private organization and eight individuals. Testimony in opposition was submitted by two state departments, one private organization, and four individuals. In particular, several testifiers supported the intent of this measure, but stated a preference for H.B. No. 1663, as that measure includes all taro grown in Hawaii, instead of only specific varieties of Hawaiian taro, and specifically states that it is not a referendum on the merits of biotechnology nor is it applicable to any other crop.
Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.
Your Committee finds that taro is a uniquely important plant that has genealogical, spiritual, and cultural links with Native Hawaiians and Hawaii. As described in the testimony submitted by several taro farmers, your Committee also finds that the methodology of growing taro makes unintentional mixing of non-genetically modified varieties of taro with genetically modified taro a real possibility.
Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing its contents with the contents of H.B. No. 1663, adopting the recommendations of several testifiers.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 709, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 709, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,
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____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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