Two GMO prohibition bills will be introduced on September 4, 2013, 1:30 pm, in the Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee in Hilo:
- Bill 113 by Margaret Wille which replaces Bill 79, and
- Bill 109 by Brenda Ford.
- In addition, Margaret Wille has submitted Communication #394 Discussion and Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee Relating to Genetically Engineered Crops and Plants.
Public Testimony on the bills and the
Ad Hoc Committee proposal will be heard at the beginning of the meeting,
however, testimony is limited to 2 minutes whether speaking on one or all of
the agenda items. You can testify at the satellite office
locations in Kau, Kona, and Wiamea. The Pahoa satellite office is
currently closed, so people in that area will need to go to Hilo.
Keeping the
focus of testimony on the points of the bill will assist the Council in
discussing what the community deems to be important.
Take
Action:
Contact your Council member before
Sept. 4 to let them know what kind of bill you support. Taking this action will provide them with
input prior to the committee’s discussion.
A Council contact list is attached.
If oral testimony is given, it is
recommended that more detailed written testimony also be submitted via email due to the 2-minute time restriction.
- Bill 109 - Introduced by Brenda Ford
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/ WebLink8/0/doc/794683/ Page1.aspx - Bill 113 - Introduced by Margaret Wille
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/ WebLink8/0/doc/794699/ Page1.aspx - COM 394 Ad Hoc Committee
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/ WebLink8/0/doc/794737/ Page1.aspx - COM 404 Hawaii Island GMO Summit
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/ WebLink8/0/doc/794893/ Page1.aspx - UPDATED AGENDA - The PAHOA office will be CLOSED; no testimony in Pahoa, you have to come to Hilo
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/ Weblink8/ DocView.aspx?id=795049
Bill 113 Margaret
Wille
“Protect Hawaii Island’s Agricultural
Heritage and Its Ecosystems from Harm from Genetically Engineered Organisms.”
Prohibition: No open air
cultivation, propagation or development of genetically engineered crops or
plants.
Exemptions: crops or plants being cultivated, propagated or
developed prior to the effective date of this article are exempted provided
locations or facilities are registered within 90 days.
GMO papaya in current and future locations is exempt provided
commercial locations or facilities are registered.
Administration: Department
of Research & Development, Agriculture Division.
Registration: $100 annual
registration fee beginning within 90 days of the effective date of article.
Penalties: Violators
fined $1000 per day, per location and responsible for costs of investigation,
court and legal costs, and for damage to non-GE crops, plants, neighboring
properties or water sources.
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Bill 109 Brenda Ford
“Genetically Modified or Engineered
Organisms Prohibited.”
Prohibition: Unlawful
to cultivate, develop or use any GMOs or to genetically modify any specific
or non-specific parts of an organism’s genome.
Exemptions:
state/federal licensed medical or agricultural research institutions
are exempt if contained in a biosafety level 3 facility.
Sunset Date:
cultivation, development or use of GMOs may continue for a period not
to exceed 30 months.
Administration: Department
of Environmental Management.
Registration: $100 annual
registration fee beginning within 60 days of the effective date of this
article.
Enforcement:
Administrative Enforcement: Violators
fined $1000, and $1000 per day of violation.
Penal Enforcement:
Violators who fail to comply are arrested for petty misdemeanor, fined
$1000 or 30 days in jail. Responsible
for costs of testing, removal, destruction of GMOs, and remediation of
property.
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Ad Hoc Committee Com #394
We recommend that if an Ad Hoc Committee is utilized that is form after a Bill is passed so that it does not hinder legislation, and that the focus of the bill emphasizes transitioning away from GMOs. - It is important to stress to the Council that the Ad Hoc Committee is not about co-existence, but about transitioning away from GMOs.
- That the committee be formed after a bill is passed and focus its work on supporting farmers to transition to non-GMO crops rather than the topics outlined in the Ad Hoc Committee proposal: co-existence, pesticides, pros/cons of indigenous/ecologically friendly farming.
Join our Facebook Event Page for September 4, 2013
http://tinyurl.com/lh5b6az
Hawai`i Island County Council Representatives
The Hawai‘i County Council is comprised of nine members, each elected from one of Hawai‘i County’s nine council districts, and serving two-year terms. The Council’s powers and functions are governed by Article 3, Section 3-1, Hawai‘i County Charter, which states that the legislative powers of the county shall be vested in the County Council. Its primary function shall be legislation and public policy formulation. The Council is responsible for passing the laws that govern this county, as enacted by ordinance, and written in the Hawai‘i County Code.
★ Detail Information about each elected council member can be located on the County's website at:
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/council/ .
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