STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3191

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 85

       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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.R. No. 85 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH FOOD LABELING REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce legislation to establish food labeling requirement pertaining to genetically modified organisms.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United, and 1,978 "Conventional People".  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.

     Your Committees find that it is the responsibility of the United States Congress to pass laws that resolve nationwide inconsistencies in laws.  However, federal law is silent on the contested issue of mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods.  Hawaii's congressional delegation is requested to introduce legislation that will protect consumers by clarifying food labeling requirements pertaining to genetically modified organisms and advancing food safety, while ensuring that food remains affordable.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language stating that a federal legislative solution should protect consumers by eliminating confusion and advancing food safety, while ensuring that food remains affordable;

     (2)  Specifying that the request made by this measure is for the clarification, rather than establishment, of food labeling requirements pertaining to genetically modified organisms;

     (3)  Amending the title to read:  "REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CLARIFY FOOD LABELING REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS"; and

     (4)  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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 85, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 85, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair