Report Title:

Biopharmaceutical Crops; Prohibitions

Description:

Prohibits the growing of crops that produce pharmaceuticals. Prohibits laboratory work relating to biopharmaceutical crops.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1048
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to genetically modified crops.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Title 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"CHAPTER

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

§    -1  Biopharmaceutical crops; prohibition; penalties. (a)  No biopharmaceutical crops shall be tested, propagated, cultivated, raised, or grown in the state.

     (b)  Laboratory work, including research, field studies, and clinical trials, carried out on biopharmaceutical crops shall be prohibited.

     (c)  A person that tests, propagates, cultivates, raises, or grows biopharmaceutical crops, or conducts laboratory work on biopharmaceutical crops, shall be civilly liable for damages that result from this activity.  Damages shall include, but are not limited to, adverse effects on other crops, on the health of individuals exposed to the biopharmaceutical crops, and on the environment.

     (d)  The department of agriculture shall establish rules to enforce this chapter.

     (e)  For purposes of this section:

     "Biopharmaceutical crops" means genetically modified crops designed to produce biological or drug products, including intermediates, protein drugs, medical devices, new animal drugs, and veterinary biologics.

     "Genetically modified" means alterations to a life form or its living progeny at the nucleic acid level, using the techniques collectively referred to as recombinant DNA technology.

     "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or any other legal entity.

     "Recombinant DNA technology" means the transfer of genes, regulatory sequences, or nucleic acid between hosts by the use of vectors or laboratory manipulations and includes the insertion, excision, duplication, inactivation, or relocation of specific genes, regulatory sequences, or sections of nucleic acid.  This term does not apply to material or an organism developed exclusively through traditional methods of breeding, hybridization, or nondirected mutagenesis."

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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