Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 86 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that where there are reasonable grounds for concern, the precautionary principle approach to decision-making shall be implemented by state departments and agencies to help reduce harm by triggering a process to select the least potential threat.

This measure specifies the elements of the precautionary principle as anticipatory action, right to know, alternatives assessment, full cost accounting, and participatory decision process.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from Life of the Land. Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Health and Hawaiian Alliance for Responsible Technology & Science. Comments were received from the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

The precautionary principle requires a thorough exploration and a careful analysis of a wide range of alternatives based on the best available science, the selection of the alternative that presents the least potential threat to human health and the State's natural systems, and public participation and an open and transparent decision-making process critical to finding and selecting alternatives.

Your Committee finds that implementing the precautionary principle policy framework will assist the State in protecting its residents.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 86 and recommends its adoption.