HI SB885

Requires the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to adopt precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent, or minimize adverse effects of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Establishes that lack of full scientific certainty should not delay application of precautionary measures when threats of serious or irreversible damage exist.

Directs policies and measures to account for socioeconomic contexts, be comprehensive across all sources and agricultural sectors, with costs kept at reasonable levels.

Responds to concerns about genetically modified crops potentially contaminating neighboring conventional crops and affecting natural ecosystems, citing examples like China's rejection of 545,000 tons of U.S. corn with unapproved genetic modifications.

Takes effect upon approval.