STAND. COM. REP. NO.  924

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 174

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD LABELING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to inform consumers about the presence of genetically engineered organisms as foods or food ingredients, by, among other things:

 

     (1)  Requiring that genetically engineered imported produce is properly labeled if available for sale or distribution;

 

     (2)  Making the labeling of genetically engineered produce a condition and requirement for importation into the State;

 

     (3)  Authorizing the valid labeling of non-genetically engineered foods; and

 

     (4)  Creating a private cause of action for mislabeling of non-genetically engineered foods.

 

     An individual councilmember of the Kauai County Council; an individual councilmember of the Hawaii County Council; the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Malama Ka Aina Farm; Animal Rights Hawaii; Earthjustice; Hawaii SEED; GMO Free Kauai; GMO Free Maui, GMO Free Oahu, GMO Free Big Island; Roberta Oaks, Hawaii LLC; Label It Hawaii; Goldielocks Grinds with Yogarden LLC; Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter; North Kohala Community Development Plan Agriculture Subcommittee; The Aloha Revolution; Ai Pohaku - the Stone Eaters; and numerous individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture; Department of Health; DuPont Pioneer; The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; Molokai Chamber of Commerce; Molokai Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; W.H. Shipman, Limited; Monsanto Molokai; Monsanto Hawaii; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Maui County Farm Bureau; and a few individuals provided testimony in opposition to this measure.  Times Supermarkets; Hawaii Organic Farming Association; Down to Earth; Babes Against Biotech; and several individuals provided comments on this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

		____________________________ SYLVIA LUKE, Chair