County Council Chair J Yoshimoto said he is dropping his proposed amendments to Bill 113.
County Council Chair J Yoshimoto said he is dropping his proposed amendments to Bill 113.
Yoshimoto told the Tribune-Herald late Monday he will not pursue the changes to the bill regarding genetically modified organisms after receiving negative feedback from the public.
The amendments, which he filed Nov. 5, would have exempted the horticulture industry from the bill’s ban on open-air use of transgenic crops, removed a registry for modified plants, and allowed the planning commissions to hear proposals for emergency exemptions.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who introduced the bill, said the amendments would weaken the legislation.
The council will consider final approval of the bill Nov. 19.