Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Hawai`i State Bills We Are Watching in 2014

Thousands of bills will come before the legislature this session. As they are received by each committee they will be prioritized and placed on the schedule as time permits. Here is a live list of the bills we will be watching this legislative session. We will update this page as hearing notices become available. In addition to watching these bills it will be important to pay attention to "language", as language from one bill, could easily be slipped into another bill in any of the committee hearings and could change the integrity of the initial bill.

When looking at a bill take note of how many committees it is assigned to and which legislatures signed and co-sponsored the bill. Bills need to be heard by all committees before cross over to remain viable. 


Last updated 2/9/2014 at  6:36 PM

ACTION NEEDED - SUBMIT TESTIMONY
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
HB 1864 RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Repeals the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Hearing: SAT. Feb 08, 2014 8:30 am Rm 325

HB 2431 RELATION TO THE LITTLE FIRE ANT
Appropriates funds to the Hawaii invasive species council for the creation of a statewide public awareness campaign on the little fire ant. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 10:00 Am Rm 312

HB 2469 RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES
Establishes and appropriates funds for a little fire ant pilot project to research solutions for addressing the little fire ant threat in Hawaii. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 10:00 Am Rm 312

SB2175 RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP. Authorizes the growing of industrial hemp for certain purposes under specified conditions. Support. No Hearing Scheduled. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 2:20 pm Rm 229

SB 2388 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND. Prohibits the creation of a condominium property regime on agricultural land 25 acres or greater. Prohibits the subdivision of agricultural land 25 acres or greater for the purpose of creating a condominium property regime. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 3:00 pm Rm 229

SB 2390 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.  Agricultural Land; IAL; Disposition; Reclassification; Determination.
Requires, prior to the disposition of agricultural land 25 acres or greater to certain governments or government agencies, an accounting of the number of contiguous agricultural land parcels 25 acres or greater that are on the same island and meet one or more criteria for lands eligible for IAL designation. Requires the identification and consideration of the inventory of large parcels of agricultural land prior to a land reclassification or district boundary amendment that reclassifies agricultural land 25 acres or greater to another state land use classification. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11, 2013 3:00 pm Rm 229


SB 2241 RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF TARO. Includes taro lands and taro-growing structures as special agricultural lands to be protected from development. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11 2014, 2:55 pm rm 229

SB 2407 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. Prohibits district boundary amendments of taro lands. Amends public land classifications to add taro lands for wetland cultivation as a fourth class of intensive agricultural use lands. Defines taro lands. Requires retention of supporting structures associated with taro fields. Adds growth and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian crops to agricultural state planning objectives. Hearing: Tues. Feb 11 2014, 2:55 pm rm 229

SB 2521 RELATING TO LABELING. Requires labeling of foods that have been genetically engineered. Provides a penalty for violations and authorizes private civil enforcement of the Act. Hearing: Mon. Feb 10, 2014 1:45 pm Rm 229
 
OPPOSE SB 111 - "proposed SD1" This appears to give complete labeling authority to the Board of Agriculture and thus pass of GMO labeling to them. That means NO GMO Labeling. It's in SB111. This bill could also have dramatic changes ahead for Macnuts and Coffee Labeling. Hearing: Mon, Feb 10, 2014 2:00 pm Rm 016

SB 2663 RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES. BLNR; Mineral Resources; Geothermal Resources. Requires all penalties, fees, and costs established and collected by the DLNR pursuant to chapter 182, HRS, to be deposited in the special land and development fund. Includes geothermal resources within the definition of a renewable energy producer. Clarifies the permitting procedures for regulators and renewable energy developers considering geothermal development. Requires the use of an area or site within the conservation district for geothermal resources development to be governed by the BLNR. Authorizes certain county authorities to issue geothermal resource permits to allow geothermal resources development in an agricultural, rural, or urban district even if the development is not considered a permissible use under the applicable county zoning ordinances or general plan. Redefines "mining lease" to include lease of the right to conduct mining operations on reserved lands. Reserves all minerals in, on, or under reserved lands to the State. Requires persons wishing to conduct geothermal resources exploration on reserved lands to apply to BLNR for exploration permits. Increases maximum amount of fees for violations of chapter 182, HRS, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto. Authorizes BLNR or its authorized representative to set, charge, and collect administrative fines or bring legal action to recover damages arising from violations of chapter 182, HRS.
HEARING: Wed, Feb 12, 2014 1:15pm Rm 225
WAITING FOR A HEARING TO BE SCHEDULED
SUPPORT
OPPOSE
SB110 - RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Short form bill. 2/3/2014  (S)  The committee(s) on AGL will hold a public decision making on 02-04-14 2:46PM in conference room 229. Vote: Yes; Slom, Nishihara, & Dela Cruz, No; English, Theilen, Kouchi - SB110 is Dead and it's possible that bill SB3058 is also dead. This last minute attempt to save it didn't work out.
In a sneaky move, SB3058 might be heard as SB110.

SB468 RELATING TO FOOD LABELING.   Support.  Establishes, beginning January 1, 2014, labeling requirements for any food or raw agricultural commodity sold in the State that contains a genetically engineered material, or was produced with a genetically engineered material; establishes exceptions; establishes violations; requires director of health to adopt rules.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled.


SB615 RELATING TO LABELING.   Support. Prohibits the sale or distribution of genetically engineered whole food in the State beginning 7/1/2014 unless appropriately labeled as genetically engineered or produced or partially produced with genetic engineering.   Passed 1st Reading. Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled. 

SB648 RELATING TO HEALTH.    Support.  Prohibits the sale, distribution, transfer, and use of pesticides containing glyphosate for cosmetic application. Exempts agricultural uses of glyphosate and uses related to the preservation and promotion of public health and safety.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.

**SB649 RELATING TO HEALTH.  Strongly support / Prohibits the sale, transfer, distribution, and use of any product containing any amount of glyphosate within the State. No Hearing Scheduled. 
 
SB934 RELATING TO HEALTH. Support / Beginning 7/1/14, requires genetically engineered food products that are sold, offered for sale, or distributed in this State to be labeled as such, with certain exceptions. Defines "genetically engineered food product." Establishes penalties for violations. No Hearing Scheduled . We need to promote 

SB1290 RELATING TO LABELING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WHOLE FOOD. Support / this labeling bill has best chance: most signers / Requires labeling of certain genetically engineered food products. No hearing scheduled yet- we need to promote it unless there is a better labeling bill.  


SB1329 RELATING TO LABELING.  Support /  Labeling of Genetically Engineered Whole Foods; Private Civil Enforcement; No Hearing Scheduled.

SB2037 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.  We cautiously support due to the introducer ; farmer mentor program. The committee(s) on AGL deferred the measure. Please submit testimony in support, as long as the bill maintains current or similar language.


SB2110 RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES.   We support ? HB6110  Adds 3 more pesticide regulators 2/4/2014 (S)    Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.   

**SB2140 RELATING TO HEALTH. Support.  Establishes moratorium on the sale, transfer, distribution, and use of glyphosate until July 1, 2019. Creates a working group to study the health and safety effects of glyphosate. Applies to sll uses EXCEPT agriculture. No Hearing Scheduled. 

**SB2176 RELATING TO LABELING. Support. Requires labeling of foods that have been genetically engineered. Provides a penalty for violations and authorizes private civil enforcement of the Act. No hearing scheduled. 

**SB2177 PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE FOOD MADE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION THAT IS PRODUCED WITH GENETIC ENGINEERING TO BE LABELED AS SUCH. Support (?). No Hearing scheduled.

SB 2274 RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE LIVING. Establishes a permit that excepts sustainable living research and sites from certain county codes, ordinances, and rules.

SB2736  RELATING TO FOOD LABELING. Support.
Genetically Engineered Material; Labeling Requirements
 Establishes, beginning January 1, 2015, labeling requirements for any food or raw agricultural commodity sold in the State that contains a genetically engineered material, or was produced with a genetically engineered material; establishes exceptions; establishes violations; requires director of health to adopt rules. 1/31/2014 (S) Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to CPN/AGL/WAM 

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**HB174 RELATING TO FOOD LABELING.   Support.  Imposes labeling requirements and import restrictions on imported genetically engineered produce. Authorizes labeling of non-genetically engineered food and creates a private right of action to enjoin violations. Passed 1st reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.

HB348 RELATING TO HEALTH.    Support.  Beginning 7/1/14, requires genetically engineered food products that are sold, offered for sale, or distributed in this State to be labeled as such, with certain exceptions. Defines "genetically engineered food product." Establishes penalties for violations.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.


HB627 RELATING TO FOOD.    Support.  Allows food offered for retail sale to have displayed on the food a label stating "not genetically engineered" or "does not include a genetically engineered ingredient" if the statement is true. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled. 

HB631 RELATING TO FOOD.    Support. Authorizes display on qualified food offered for retail sale a label stating "not genetically engineered" or "does not include a genetically engineered ingredient" if the statement is true. Makes an untrue statement a violation. Allows any person or public agency to seek an injunction to prevent or terminate a violation. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. No Hearing Scheduled.

HB733 RELATING TO LABELING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WHOLE FOOD.  Support.  Requires labeling of certain genetically engineered food products.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session  No Hearing Scheduled.

**HB735 RELATING TO TARO SECURITY.    Strongly Support.  Prohibits the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically engineered Hawaiian taro in the State. Establishes limited prohibitions on the engineering, testing, and cultivation of non-Hawaiian taro in the State. Effective July 1, 2013, and repeals on June 30, 2018.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.



**HB1386 RELATING TO PESTICIDES.    Strongly Support.  Establishes a commercial pesticide-free buffer zone around schools, child care facilities, and health care institutions. Imposes a 72 hour notice requirement in at least two newspapers or publications and to all schools, child care facilities, and health care institutions in the immediate area of commercial pesticide spraying.  Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to 2014 Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled.

**HB1533 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.   Support.  Prioritizes and promotes the production of nutritious agricultural produce for human consumption, excluding seed. Effective January 1, 2015.  Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Yamane excused (1). 

HB1611 RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PESTICIDES.   Support.  Appropriates funds for pesticide regulation.  Passed 1st Reading - he committee(s) on AGR recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.  

**HB1661 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.    Support.  Requires the Director of Health to contract for a study on the health effects on Molokai residents due to the condition of the soil resulting from the plantation agriculture industry. Effective July 1, 2014.  Passed 1st Reading.  No Hearing Scheduled. 


HB2177 RELATING TO COMMUNITY FOOD FORESTS. Establishes a community food forest program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources that shall work collaboratively with local government and community organizations to provide sources of healthy food statewide. Appropriate funds. Effective July 1, 2014. Please submit testimony in support.



HB2468 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES.
Authorizes DBEDT, in collaboration with DOA, to perform studies and analysis relating to establishing facilities on the Island of Hawaii for quarantine inspection and treatment and handling incoming and outgoing commodities. Appropriation. Effective July 1, 2014.
 
HB2506 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Do not Support / Amends Hawaii's Right to Farm Act to ensure that counties cannot enact laws, ordinances, or resolutions to limit the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.No hearing scheduled as of yet.



SB590 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE  ???? This one is weird, it looks like preemption yet Ruderman is a signer  Clarifies the State's policy to promote and foster an atmosphere of acceptance for agricultural practices. Guarantees the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices. Passed 1st Reading.  Carried over to Regular Session.  No Hearing Scheduled. 

SB727 RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Is it dead yet? This is the preemption bill carried over from last session. Do not support. No hearing scheduled yet 


SB2454 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Do not support / Establishes a task force to determine whether a state-established regulatory regime should be established to address agricultural use of genetically modified organisms. 
Please submit testimony opposing.



 


** Bills that we strongly support.




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