STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1817

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 114

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 114 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING PROHIBITIONS ON THE DUMPING OF VESSEL SEWAGE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the United States Congress to ensure that the dumping of raw sewage within the boundaries of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is prohibited.

     Your Committee has circulated a proposed S.D. 1 to this Concurrent Resolution to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to compile a report on genetically modified food crops.  The proposed S.D. 1 further requests the Legislative Reference Bureau 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

          (C)  Workers employed;

     (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.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 of this Concurrent Resolution from the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Science and Technology Council, the former coordinator of Hawaii's Interagency Committee on Deliberate Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms and former analyst, U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment Reports, and one individual.  The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii, the Green Point Nurseries, and three individuals testified in support and offered suggestions for amendments.  The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center supported the intent but expressed concerns.  One individual offered support with comments.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Board of Agriculture, the Big Island Sustainable Communities Association, and three individuals.  One individual testified in opposition and offered suggestions for amendments.  The Captain Cook Honey Company and the Big Island Bee Company expressed concerns.  The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation suggested replacing the Concurrent Resolution with an entirely new one.  Hawaii Food Industry Association, Kona Coffee, and one individual offered comments.  The Respiratory and Environmental Disabilities Association of Hawaii offered comments with suggestions.  The past president of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association and one individual suggested amendments.  Two individuals offered suggestions.  The Legislative Reference Bureau offered comments with concerns.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this Concurrent Resolution by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of the proposed S.D. 1 that has been circulated for comment.  In addition, your Committee has inserted a request for the Legislative Reference Bureau to include in its report information on other states and countries that have instituted restrictions on the importation of genetically modified food crops.

     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.C.R. No. 114, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 114, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair