A Kauai County Council committee voted 4-1 to approve a proposed bill to regulate pesticides and genetically modified organisms by large agricultural companies. 

The council’s Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted shortly before 9:30 p.m. Friday to amend the disclosure and buffer zones provisions and eliminate four provisions from Bill 2491: permitting, prohibition of open-air testing of experimental pesticides, prohibition of open air testing of experimental GMOs and a moratorium on experimental use and commercial production of GMOs.

The bill calls for mandatory disclosure of pesticide use and GMOs by large agribusinesses on Kauai. 

The proposed ordinance will advance to the full council. A meeting date has yet to be set.