SCR114 SD1 PROPOSED

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii has a strong interest in promoting diversified agriculture as a means to help our island state achieve greater self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, genetic modification of food crops is a controversial issue; and

WHEREAS, proponents of genetic modification of food crops say that crops can be genetically modified to increase their resistance to disease and harmful insects and that further research, including field testing, is needed; and

WHEREAS, opponents of genetic modification of food crops say that they fear that pollen from genetically modified crops might contaminate non-genetically modified crops, particularly organically grown crops; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the State of Hawaii to protect the viability and sustainability of its diversified agriculture industry; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii also has a strong interest in protecting our precious environment and food sources and promoting the health and safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature needs impartial information in order to make an informed decision; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to compile a report on genetically modified food crops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to include in its report:

(1) A summary of findings from the literature on the issue, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation's coexistence report;

(2) A summary of arguments for and against genetically modified food crops, including benefits and drawbacks;

(3) Information on laws in other states that regulate genetically modified food crops, including the use of moratoria;

(4) Information on the types of genetically modified food crops that are now being grown in Hawaii and available information on:

(A) Revenues generated;

(B) Acreage used; and

(5) Information on which companies are currently growing genetically modified food crops in Hawaii and which islands they are growing them on;

(6) Information to the extent practical of sites in Hawaii where genetically modified food crops are being field tested or grown;

(7) Information on what precautions are being taken by growers of genetically modified food crops in Hawaii to prevent or minimize cross-contamination with non-genetically modified food crops;

(8) A discussion of the risks and consequences of cross-contamination of non-genetically modified food crops; and

(9) Possible compromises between proponents and opponents of genetically modified food crops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is also requested to explore possible regulation to prevent cross-contamination of non-genetically modified food crops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is further requested to consult with any interested parties in both the public and private sectors for assistance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit any findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and the President of the University of Hawaii, and the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	114
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII