HI HB735

Prohibits the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically engineered Hawaiian taro in the State of Hawaii.

Restricts genetic engineering of non-Hawaiian taro to enclosed laboratories with restricted public access and limits testing, propagation, planting, and growing of such taro to enclosed structures with restricted public access.

Defines "Hawaiian taro" as taro species native to Hawaii as listed in Bulletin 84: Taro Varieties in Hawaii (1939), and "genetically engineered" as alterations using recombinant DNA technology.

Allows controlled hand-pollination taro breeding methods (taro-to-taro) to continue as an exception to the prohibitions.

Takes effect July 1, 2013, and automatically repeals on June 30, 2018.