STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2430

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2521

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Health and Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2521 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Deem foods, including raw agricultural commodities, processed food, and seed or seed stock, as misbranded if they have been genetically engineered and that fact is not disclosed through labeling;

     (2)  Require the Department of Health to adopt rules to carry out the labeling;

     (3)  Provide a penalty for violations; and

     (4)  Authorize private civil enforcement.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from IMUAlliance, Hawaii Farmers Union, Olinda Organic Farm, PASS - Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, Babes Against Biotech, Moms on a Mission Hui, Seeds of Truth, and several individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health; The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Monsanto Hawaii; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd.; 4Ag Hawaii; and two individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committees find that there are growing concerns about foods that have been genetically engineered, which may pose hazards to environmental and public health.  Your Committees further find that consumers have a right to know if the products they purchase include genetically engineered ingredients.  This measure allows consumers to make informed choices about the products and food they buy in Hawaii.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2521, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2521, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair