Lawmaker attempts to revive GMO plan

State Rep. Jessica Wooley on Thursday unsuccessfully attempted to resurrect a proposal to require labeling for genetically modified food sold in Hawaii.

Wooley, chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee, stripped an unrelated Senate agriculture bill and inserted language to require GMO labeling in Hawaii if three other states also enact mandatory labeling laws.

Wooley (D, Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe) was open about her decision to "gut and replace" the Senate bill. The action takes a bill that has survived in the legislative session, deletes its contents and then replaces it with language from a stalled proposal as long as the title describes the subject matter.

In this case, Senate Bill 2435, had the title "Related to Agriculture" and proposed changes to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Fund.

The House did not pass a bill requiring GMO labeling.

The committee deferred the reworded SB 2435, killing it for this session.

"This particular issue we have put on hold on purpose because it really has become so controversial and has divided so many people," she told people who gathered for the hearing in the Capitol Auditorium. "My hope is that with this hearing we can have a very rational discussion. I also want to make clear that this is a gut-and-replace bill."

Under the proposal, food in Hawaii could be considered misbranded if it were produced with any amount of genetic engineering and the packaging does not bear the label "genetically engineered." Processed food containing some GMOs products would have to be labeled with the words "Produced with Genetic Engineering," but the specific GMO ingredients would not have to be listed. GMO seeds would also have to be labeled.

Throughout the hearing, committee members expressed concern regarding the mechanics of the bill and that it was a "gut and replace."

Unlike hearings on previous GMO-related bills, relatively few people showed up to testify.

Two women said they have family members who they say are negatively affected by genetically modified food.

Sandee Phillips of Waimanalo said her niece, who suffers from endometriosis, a gynecological condition, has experienced relief from her symptoms since cutting out genetically modified food from her diet.

"She did a lot of research and found out that a lot of women are being affected by the chemicals (in pesticides), and it effects their reproductive system," Phillips said.

Carrie Martell of Waimea said she suspects her 7-year-old son, Max, is allergic to genetically modified food because he used to develop unexplained rashes on his body and sores in his mouth that have ceased since changing his diet to remove GMOs.

"A little over a year ago, he was eating gluten-free soy sauce, and it dripped on his face and little welts came up," Martell told lawmakers. "He started screaming and said that the inside of his mouth hurt, that his throat hurt."

Wooley said she felt the hearing was productive and successful, especially regarding committee members who seemed receptive to the idea of labeling.