Who will win the Rusty Scalpel?

The annual sausage-making process that is the state Legislature has begun — and with it, a new award.

Common Cause Hawaii and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii’s new "Rusty Scalpel" initiative will highlight so-called "gut and replace" bill amendments during the session, culminating with the "award" for the most egregious example.

Veteran observers know that any bill that enters the 60-day session addressing one issue can, at the end, emerge targeting a totally different issue. One glaring 2013 example: A measure about the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission ended up with unrelated language about geothermal energy.

The League says it will use Twitter to highlight bills throughout the session, in an attempt to curb the practice.

And, just because we know how politicians crave the limelight and awards, let’s be clear: The "Rusty Scalpel" is not a good thing to be recognized for.

Pesticides filing limited good start

It’s not full disclosure, but it’s a start.

Through a voluntary state program, the biotech companies targeted by the Kauai County Council provided a list of the restricted-use chemicals they applied to their fields in December. The list provides amounts and kinds of chemicals used, but not dates, locations or times of application.

Still, with access to Google, the average person can find out more about such substances as atrazine, esfenvalerate, mesotrione and paraquat-dichloride.

The full list is at 1.usa.gov/ldSjUke.