STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1218

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 958

      S.D. 1

      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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 958, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to recognize the importance of the kalo, or taro, in the heritage of the State by creating a ten-year moratorium on developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, raising, and growing of genetically modified taro in Hawaii.

     Specifically, this bill prohibits the developing, testing, propagating, cultivating, raising, or growing of taro in Hawaii and defines "genetically modified" and "recombinant DNA technology" in a new section in chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Department of Health).  This bill is repealed on June 30, 2017.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this bill from Hanalei Poi Company LLC, Kauai Taro Growers Association, Sierra Club Hawaii chapter, and five individuals.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Vice President for Research of the University of Hawaii, the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Science & Technology Council, THP, and eight individuals.  The Departments of Health and Agriculture offered comments.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing section 2 of the bill, which creates a new section in chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, into uncodified session law;

(2)  Inserting clarifying language in section 2 that specifies the prohibition only extends to June 30, 2017; and

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 958, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 958, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair