BERNARD P. CARVALHO, JR. Mayor

GARY K. HEU Managing Director

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR News Release For Immediate Release: October 31, 2013

BETH TOKIOKA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Tel (808) 241-4900 Fax (808) 241-6877

Mayor vetoes Bill 2491

Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. has vetoed Bill 2491, Relating to Pesticides

and Genetically Modified Organisms, which was passed by the County Council on October 16.

I have always said I agree with the intent of this bill to provide for pesticide use

disclosure, create meaningful buffer zones and conduct a study on the health and

environmental issues relating to pesticide use on , stated the Mayor. However, I believe

strongly that this bill is legally flawed. That being the case, I had no choice but to veto.

The Mayor has released the opinion on 2491 drafted by the Office of the County

Attorney, which was delivered to him on October 24.

Since receiving the opinion I ve spent hours and hours understanding the points raised

and questioning our attorneys on the legal issues, he said. While I believe a veto is

necessary, we can and will find legal means to address these important health and safety

issues.

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Mayor vetoes Bill 2491 October 31, 2013 Page 2 of 2

In his veto message, the mayor urges the council to move forward quickly on funding the

joint fact finding study group, which is the first step toward conducting an environmental public

health impact study (EPHIS). The study could be recommended via a resolution that is slated

for next week s council agenda. He also describes actions being taken by the Governor and the

State Department of Agriculture to address buffer zones and pesticide use notification.

I truly believe in my heart that can accomplish anything through cooperation,

collaboration, and by working together in the spirit of aloha, said the mayor. This does not

invalidate the hard work that has gone into the crafting of 2491. We are moving forward and we

will continue to move forward with or without the bill.

The full text of the mayor s message, along with the attorney s opinion can be found on

the county s website: www.kauai.gov.

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