HB 687-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2001 SESSION
08/09
HOUSE BILL 687-FN
AN ACT relative to labeling requirements of genetically engineered foods.
SPONSORS: Rep. Lynde, Hills 24; Rep. Rabideau, Rock 16; Rep. Owen, Merr 6; Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21
This bill provides labeling requirements for genetically engineered foods upon the happening of specified events.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
01-0204
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One
AN ACT relative to labeling requirements of genetically engineered foods.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings.
I. The general court finds that:
(a) Genetically engineered foods have become a significant element of foods produced in the United States, particularly soy and corn based foods.
(b) There is ongoing debate within the scientific community and within the general public as to the safety and long term effects of genetically engineered foods.
(c) It will be many years before it will be known whether or not genetically engineered foods pose a threat to human health or the environment.
(d) Consumers of food products have the right to know the content of their foods including the knowledge of genetic alteration of their food sources.
(e) Labeling of food products sold for human consumption has been an effective method of consumer information.
(f) Labeling of food products can only be effectively implemented when required by a significant portion of the northeast region and a significant portion of the nation.
II. The intent of this act is to provide consumers with information as to whether their food contents are derived from genetically engineered products by appropriate labeling when it becomes feasible without creating a cost or supply burden for New Hampshire consumers.
2 New Subdivision; Genetically Engineered Foods. Amend RSA 146 by inserting after section 21 the following new subdivision:
146:22 Definitions. In this subdivision:
I. "Gene splicing" means taking selected DNA from one organism's genes and attaching them to a different organism's genes.
II. "Genetically engineered foods" means foods derived from plant seeds that have had their DNA altered by gene splicing. This definition shall not include seeds developed through hybridization.
III. "Genetically engineered seeds" means the seeds of plants that have had their DNA altered by gene splicing.
IV. "Hybridization" means a process whereby plants are developed through a process of cross breeding.
146:23 Labeling of Foods Derived From Genetically Engineered Seeds. Any food, offered for sale for human consumption at retail, containing one or more ingredients derived from genetically engineered seeds shall be labeled to indicate that such food contains ingredients derived from genetically engineered seeds, with the following exceptions:
I. If the genetically engineered ingredients, in total, represent less than 5 percent, by weight, of the food offered for sale.
II. Foods sold as consumable meals in restaurants.
3 Applicability.
I. Section 2 of this act, relative to labeling of foods derived from genetically engineered seeds, shall take effect upon the later of the following:
(a) January 1, 2002.
(b) When the secretary of state certifies that similar legislation has been enacted in a sufficient number of the 6 New England states and the states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania so as to represent at least 70 percent of the combined populations of these states and has been enacted in a sufficient number of all the states so as to represent 20 percent of the population of the United States.
II. Section 2 of this act shall not take effect if the secretary of state certifies that federal legislation has been enacted providing for the labeling of genetically engineered foods.
4 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect as provided in section 3 of this act.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
01-0204
12/28/00
HB 687-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to labeling requirements of genetically engineered foods.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Health and Human Services indicates this bill will increase state expenditures by $124,302 in FY 2003, $114,302 in FY 2004 and $115,802 in FY 2005.
There will be no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenues or county and local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department has assumed that it will be responsible for adopting rules relative to enforcement of the labeling requirements. The Department also assumes that it will have access, via contract, to information regarding foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients, including information on content by weight. The Department indicates two full-time employees will be necessary to maintain information regarding genetically engineered foods, respond to complaints, conduct inspections, and either process or request tests of the foods as needed.
The Department estimated the cost of implementation as follows:
Description FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005
Salaries (2 employees @ LG 18, step 4) $ 64,818 $ 64,818 $ 64,818
Benefits @ 31% 20,094 20,094 20,094
Computer Equipment 7,000 0 0
Office Furniture 4,000 0 0
Copying 1,000 1,000 1,000
Postage 1,000 1,000 1,000
Telephone 1,200 1,200 1,200
Supplies 1,500 1,500 1,500
Rent 3,690 3,690 3,690
Contracted (Information /Testing) 20,000 21,000 22,500
Total $124,302 $114,302 $115,802