HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

237

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the CONVENING OF a task force to discuss issues, study impacts, and make recommendations relating to Genetically modified organisms, public health, and environmental safety.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, since the engineering of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a relatively new science, the public has asked for a long-term evaluation of potential effects on the health of humans, other living creatures, and the environment; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has more genetic engineering test sites per square mile than any other state in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, public and environmental health concerns about the testing, propagating, cultivating, raising, planting, growing, or releasing of genetically modified crops and seeds in the state have elicited extensive public comment during recent legislative hearings; and

 

     WHEREAS, these concerns include, but are not limited to, the risks of new allergens and toxins in foods, pollen drift, rising resistance rates of pests and weeds, crossing of new genes into wild relatives, and the potential contamination of aquifers, reservoirs, and fresh waterways; and 

 

     WHEREAS, in 2008, the County of Hawaii enacted Ordinance No. 08-154, which prohibits any person from testing, propagating, cultivating, raising, planting, growing, introducing, or releasing genetically engineered or recombinant DNA taro or coffee in the County of Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, given the growing public concern about GMOs in the state, it is necessary for the genetically engineered crop and seed industry, farmers, and the public to collaborate and discuss important issues relating to public and environmental health; and

 

     WHEREAS, this body finds that the state will benefit most from a task force composed of independent members who are familiar with the relevant health and environmental issues, and have expertise in the areas of human health, ecosystems, biosecurity, pest control, and water and soil quality, in addition to representatives from the genetically engineered crop and seed industry, non-GMO commercial farms, and organic farms; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Department of Agriculture (DOA), the Department of Health (DOH), and the President of UH are requested to co-convene a task force to review research studies, gather input, discuss issues, and recommend policies, regulatory needs, and legislative action relating to GMOs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force also:

 

     (1)  Study the scope of the current and proposed use of GMOs in the state;

 

     (2)  Examine issues relating to farmer indemnity and how to reduce the likelihood of future litigation; and

 

     (3)  Study methods to allow the genetically engineered crop and seed industry to make the location and nature of genetically engineered crops transparent to the public;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force membership be comprised of those representatives who are directly involved in the independent scientific review and evaluation of environmental and health impacts to the natural resources and people of the State of Hawaii; provided that the task force membership include:

 

     (1)  The Administrator of the DOA Plant Pest Control Branch;

 

     (2)  The Deputy Director of the DOH Environmental Health Administration;

     (3)  The Director of the DOH Office of Environmental Quality Control;

 

     (4)  The Chair of the UH Institutional Biosafety Committee;

 

     (5)  The Director of the UH Environmental Health and Safety Office or the Director of the UH Environmental Center; 

 

     (6)  The Director of the UH Office of Public Health Studies;

 

     (7)  One non-GMO commercial farmer representative from each county appointed by the respective mayor of each county;

 

     (8)  One organic farmer representative from each county appointed by the respective mayor of each county; and

 

     (9)  One GMO farmer representative from each county appointed by the respective mayor of each county;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Director of DOH, President of UH, the Attorney General, and the mayor of each county.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Genetically Modified Organisms; Task Force