Bill 2491 becomes law

Bill No. 2491, Draft 2 - A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE KAUA’I COUNTY CODE 1987, AS AMENDED, BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 22 TO CHAPTER 22, RELATING TO PESTICIDES AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (Laid on Table 11/07/2013)

The Kauaʻi County Council today voted to override the mayor's veto of Bill 2491 - 5 to 2 - in another dramatic turn of events in the GMO struggle unfolding on the island.

Five votes were needed to override the veto, and up until yesterday the council stood at six members, but just yesterday Mason Chock was appointed to fill the vacancy and it turns out that he cast the deciding vote. After voting for the bill last month, Nadine Nakamura resigned from the council to become the mayor's managing director, removing one likely override vote from contention.

After having signaled that they would vote on the override one member short, the council on Thursday they voted to table the veto override vote; on Friday they appointed Mason Chock to the council; then on Saturday they overrode the veto.

Meanwhile, spurred by all the 2491 hubbub, earlier this week at the state level there was an announcement of a new "good neighbor" program (PDF) consisting of entirely voluntary notification, reporting, and the establishment of buffer zones.

The county has nine months to prepare to implement the new law and there are sure to be many twists and turns between now and then.

Links:

• Kauaʻi Bill No. 2491, Draft 2 (final version)
• Kauaʻi Council special meeting agenda