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COUNTY OF HAWAI'I STATE OF HAWAI'I RESOLUTION NO. 2GS 09 (Draft 2) A RESOLUTION URGING THE PROTECTION OF HAW AI'I COUNTY'S HOME- RULE AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL POLICY. WHEREAS, the Hawai' i County Council is responsible for the promulgation of regulatory actions regarding the development and enforcement of agricultural policies for Hawai'i Island, and WHEREAS, both the County of Hawai'i and the State of Hawai'i have identified food security and food self-sufficiency as priorities in the Hawai'i 2050 Report, and WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council in Resolution No. 81-09 adopted on April 22, 2009 and the Maui County Council in Resolution No. 09-29 adopted on March 20, 2009 urged opposition to House Bill No. 1226 HD1, which sought to preempt the Counties from enacting any legislation relating to genetically modified plant organisms and seeds in the future, and WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council recognizes its responsibilities to be more pro- active in this critical policy arena, particularly in light of recent policies concerning genetically- modified organisms and its future in the State and County of Hawai'i; and WHEREAS, the delicate nature of Hawai'i's unique ecosystems, and the health, safety, and welfare of Hawai'i's residents are better maintained and protected by its respective counties; and WHEREAS, by the State attempting to exact land use regulatory limits on the counties relating to agricultural issues usurps county authority and repudiates home rule principles; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must retain the administration of plans to protect its lands and natural ecosystems (watershed, dry forest, stream management, water resources, coastal lands, and reefs) to ensure the viability of agricultural systems for current and future farmers and ranchers, as well as for future well-being of the people of this island; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must retain the 'right' to protect the health, safety and general welfare of all county residents; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAW AI'I that all efforts be taken to maintain the County's home-rule authority in all matters involving agricultural policy, including those relating to genetically-modified organisms.