STAND. COM. REP. NO.  122-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1923

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1923 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEASUREMENT STANDARDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit certain food labeling practices regarding foods with non-genetically-modified organisms, organic foods, and gluten-free foods.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Center for Food Safety, Malama Kauai, GMO Free Hawaii Island, and eleven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that truth in labeling, particularly in food, is critical to the health and welfare of the residents of Hawaii and to curtail consumer fraud.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion.

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, should it consider this measure, to examine the ramifications of excluding Hawaii retailers from the scope of this measure and accordingly act upon this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1923, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1923, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair