Bill Text: HI SCR34 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: GMO Labeling
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-04-15 - Referred to AGR, HED, FIN, referral sheet 54 [SCR34 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2013-SCR34-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
34 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
Proposed |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING STUDIES RELATING TO THE RESEARCH OF ISSUES ARISING FROM THE POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A genetically modified organisms LABELING OR RIGHT-TO-KNOW REGIMEN.
WHEREAS, the question of whether to label food products as containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) has garnered much debate throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, in addition to legislative proposals seeking the labeling of food products containing GMO material, other legislative proposals would seek to establish, as an alternative to GMO labeling, a GMO registration regimen, also known as a right-to-know regimen, where suppliers of genetically modified food products register those food products with a state agency; and
WHEREAS, before establishing any GMO labeling or GMO registration regimen, it is critical that the relevant issues, as well as the intended and unintended effects, arising from such a course of action be analyzed and understood by members of the Legislature and the agriculture industry, as well as consumers; and
WHEREAS, relevant issues include: a determination of whether GMO labeling, GMO registration, or the status quo is the preferred action; the economic effects of any labeling or registration requirement on consumers and the local agricultural industry; the costs of implementing such a labeling or registration requirement; and whether food products containing GMO pose any long-term safety threats; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization is requested to establish an economic model, conduct an economic impact study, and submit a report on the economic impact of implementing a GMO labeling or GMO registration requirement on consumers, the local agricultural industry, and the State's 2050 sustainability goals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Departments of Health, and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, are requested to research and submit a report: examining whether implementing a GMO labeling or GMO registration regimen is practicable, including issues relating to ease of enforcement and administration of a labeling or registration requirement, and whether such a program would adversely affect the Hawaii 2050 sustainability goals and determining how the preferred program, if any, should be implemented; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to provide a report that includes detailed cost analyses on implementing GMO labeling and GMO registration regimens, including any additional personnel requirements and any other departmental processes or procedures that may need to be changed to effectuate such a regimen; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is requested to submit a report that includes an analysis of peer reviewed literature and studies regarding the long-term safety of GMO crops grown in Hawaii and information on farming practices in Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following entities are each requested to submit an individual interim report and final report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2014 and 2015, respectively, on the research requested in this Concurrent Resolution regarding the various issues and effects arising from the implementation of a GMO labeling or GMO registration regimen, including recommendations on other areas of concern that may arise:
(1) University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization;
(2) University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and
(3) Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Director of Health, the Executive Director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, and the Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
GMO Labeling
