Friday, September 27, 2013

Newsletter: Hawaii County Council Summary for Bill #113

Aloha e kakou,
 
GMO prohibition Bill #113 was discussed Sept. 23, 2013, by Hawaii County Councilmembers who had an opportunity to ask questions of various experts representing different fields that relate to the bill. The Committee was recessed until Oct. 1 at 1:00 p.m. in Hilo, where Council discussion with experts may continue or amendments to the bill will be discussed, but no testimony will be allowed.  After deliberating the bill, the Council will vote on it.  All satellite offices will be open except Pahoa which is being moved.

An amended Bill 113 was presented by Councilmember Wille expanding the open air cultivation prohibition to include propagation, development or testing: 
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/0/doc/796083/Page1.aspx

Councilmember Onishi offered several amendments to Bill 113 to remove the registration requirement for GMO papaya, exempt universities and government agencies, exempt all approved GMO crops:
  1. http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/0/doc/796106/Page1.aspx
  2. http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/0/doc/796107/Page1.aspx
  3. http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/Weblink8/0/doc/796108/Page1.aspx

GMO prohibition Bill 109 written by Brenda Ford was revived and Council voted to move it to the Environmental Management Committee of the Environmental Management Department where there is a 45-day waiting period for public comments which would influence the status of this bill.

To view today’s discussions with experts see video coverage provided by Occupy Hilo at our Facebook page.  Experts begin speaking in part one at about  1 hour and 4 minutes into the video:  https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeHawaiiIsland

Jeffrey Smith addressing Hawaii County Council 9/23/13:
 

Mahalo for your continued support!
GMO Free Hawaii Island Team

No comments:

Post a Comment