STAND. COM. REP. NO.  251-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 686

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 686 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the propagation, cultivation, and farming of genetically engineered fish in state marine waters.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Babes Against Biotech, and many individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hoomana Pono, LLC; and several individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Biotechnology Innovation Organization; fightforyourhealth.blogspot.com; Hunting, Farming, and Fishing Association; and several individuals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding language to also prohibit the sale, attempted sale, and possession of genetically engineered fish; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to December 24, 2088, to promote further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 686, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 686, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Agriculture.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair