STAND. COM. REP. NO. 193

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 239

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 239 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require growers and testers of genetically engineered plants in the State to notify the Department of Agriculture regarding the existence of these plants, and to require the Department of Agriculture to make certain information about genetically modified plant projects accessible to the public.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by four private organizations and one individual.  Testimony in support, with comments, was submitted by one individual.  Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by two state departments, three private organizations, and three individuals.  Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is essentially a "good neighbor" policy that requires those who grow genetically engineered crops in Hawaii to make basic information about the planting accessible to farmers, gardeners, and the general public via a notice to the Department of Agriculture.  Although there may be issues regarding proprietary information and vandalism concerns, your Committee feels that it is important for conventional and organic farmers in Hawaii to know whether or not they need to undertake measures to keep their crops free of genetically engineered content.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 239, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 239, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair