STAND. COM. REP. NO.  965

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1577

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED COFFEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to maintain the unique brand identity and market value of Kona coffee by prohibiting the introduction of genetically modified coffee in the Hawaii market while, at the same time, permitting research on genetically modified coffee in an environmentally secure facility.

     The Sierra Club – Hawaii Chapter, Hawaii Coffee Association, Concerned Citizens Against Genetically Engineered Foods, Concerned Citizens Against Pesticide Use, Center For Food Safety, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  Hawaii SEED, supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, Tropical Hawaiian Products, Hawaii Science and Technology Council, Integrated Coffee Technologies, Inc., Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Dole Food Company Hawaii, Hawaii Coffee Growers Association, Coffees of Hawaii, and several concerned individuals opposed this bill.  Several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair