"Current (February-March 2001) state GMO
legislation in the United States"
Compiled by Christina Grimm
NH
Health Freedom Coalition
New Hampshire
March 2001
Additional listings, including national, local, and international are
available at www.thecampaign.org
Individual readers aware of modifications, updates and other recent
legislation are requested to contact the above two parties.
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CALIFORNIA
- Vandals that destroy Genetically Modified crops must pay twice the
amount of the cost of the damage.
- S.B. 1513 Requiring manufacturers, producers, and distribuors of food
intended for human consumption to label genetically engineered food
products, and making the failure to submit samples to the U.S. FDA for
testing a misdemeanor. Introduced February 16, 2000 by Senator Hayden.
- S.B. 1514 Establishing a task force to decide whether genetically
modified foods should be served in public schools.
- S.B. 2065 Creating the Food Biotechnology Task Force, to be
cochaired by
the Secretary of California Health and Welfare Agency, the Secretary of
the
California Trade and Commerce Agency, and the Secretary of the
California Fo
and Drug Administration. Introduced by Senator Costa. Passed House and
Senate. Chaptered September 23, 2000.
COLORADO
Past Legislation
- S.B. 146 Requiring mandatory labeling of genetically engineered
food.
Killed by committee February 12, 2001.
HAWAII
Active Legislation
- Resolutions mandating that all genetic engineering be reported to
the
state, and ensuring its responsible use based on the success of the
technology for the papaya industry.
Past Legislation
- H.B. 540 Making an appropriation for the study of the spread of
genetically modified organisms or their genes during field testing.
Passed
February 17, 1989.
- S.B. 726 Requiring an environmental assessment for the proposal to
release within the state a genetically modified organism that has been
altered at the molecular or single cell level. Passed March 11, 1993.
IOWA
Past Legislation
- S.B. 2189 Prohibiting a person from selling or offering to sell
genetically modified crop seed if the person includes in the sale price
any
charges associated with genetically engineering the seed; provides
exceptions; sets violation code and punishment for violation. No
carryover
after adjournment, April 26, 2000.
MAINE
Active Legislation
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Introduced January 26,
1999.
Contact Representative Martha Bagley, (207) 225-6567.
- Statewide referendum on labeling slated for November 2001. Contact
Tyler Studds, mainerighttoknow@acadia.net.
Past Legislation
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Not carried over after
adjournment, October 24, 1997.
Contact Representative Chartrand.
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Voted down in committee,
March 30, 1995.
Contact former Representatives Heeschen and Ault.
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Voted down in committee,
March 24, 1994.
Contact former Representative Titcomb.
MARYLAND
Active Legislation
- Ban of Terminator Technology.
Past Legislation
- Prohibits use of rGBH and other growth hormones; requires labeling
of
genetically engineered foods. Voted down in committee, March 22, 1999.
Contact Del. Tony Fulton, (401) 366-5133.
MASSACHUSSETTS:
Active Legislation
- HB 2207 Implementing a five year moratorium on planting genetically
engineered crops in Massachussetts. Referred to Joint Committee on
Natural
Resources, hearing at 10:30am on April 23, 2001.
Chief Sponsor is Rep.
Rachel Kaprielian. Committee Chair is Sen. Pacheco (617) 722-2210.
- HB 3385 Setting a higher standard of legal liability for any harm
genetically engineered crops or food products cause to human health or
the
environment. Referred to Joint Committee on Natural Resources, hearing
at
10:30am on April 23, 2001.
Chief Sponsor is Rep. Chris Hodgkins.
- SB 1789 Setting a higher standard of legal liability for any harm
genetically engineered crops or food products cause to human health or
the
environment. Referred to the Senate Committee on Science and
Technology.
Chief Sponsor is Sen. Brian Joyce. Committee Chair is
Sen. Magnani and the phone number is (617)722-1640.
- HB 3252 Requiring mandatory labeling for genetically modified foods.
Referredto the Joint Committee of Commerce and Labor, hearing on May 23,
2001 at 10:30am.
Chief sponsor is Rep. Karyn Polito. Committee Chair
is
Sen. Lynch and his number is (617) 722-2030.
MICHIGAN
Active Legislation
- H.B. 5399 Mandatory labeling of packaged food containing at least 1%
genetically engineered material. Referred to House Committee on
Agriculture
and Resource Management.
MINNESOTA:
Active Legislation
- Five-year moratorium on the sale and cultivation of genetically
engineered seeds.
- Bill placing liability on seed companies in the event of the
contamination of non-GM crops.
- H.F. 807 Removing the exemption for environmental assessment of
Genetically Modified Organisms. Introduced February 12, 2000.
Past Legislation
- H.B. 3973 prohibiting the sale of genetically engineered food unless
labeled, and providing for penalties and remedies. Not carried over
after
adjournment, May 17, 2000.
- S.B. 3638 prohibiting the sale of genetically engineered food unless
labeled, and providing for penalties and remedies. Not carried over
after
adjournment, May 17, 2000.
- H.B. 2614 regulating the use of genetically modified organisms. Not
carried over after adjournment, May 17, 2000.
- H.B. 3820 establishing liability for the spread of certain
genetically
modified organisms; specifies damages. Not carried over after
adjournment,
May 17, 2000.
MISSISSIPPI
Active Legislation
- Institution of a system to track all sales of non-GM seeds.
NEBRASKA
Active Legislation
- Seed company liability in the event of the contamination of non-GM
crops.
Past Legislation
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Not carried over after
adjournment, April 14, 1998.
Contact Senator Jennie Robak, (402)
471-2715.
- L.B. 959 Relating to crop damage and genetic engineering. Defines
terms; provides a cause of action for certain crop damage; repeals the
original sections; and declares an emergency. Not carried over after
adjournment, April 12, 2000.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Active Legislation
- H.R. 291 proposing a statewide ban on the importation or sale of
Seed
Sterilization, or "terminator," technology. Sent to three-year study
committee.
Contact Christina Grimm, NH Health Freedom Coalition, (603)
472-2233.
- H.R. 204 Relative to labeling requirements for genetically
engineered
food.
Co-sponsored by Representative Lynde, Reprasentative Rabideau,
and
Senator Wheeler.
- H.R. 787 Prohibiting the use of genetc testing for certain insurance
purposes.
Sponsored by Representative Kurk.
Past Legislation
- H.R. 1209 proposing mandatory labeling for foods that contain
ingredients derived from plant seeds that have been treated resulting in
artificially heightened immunity to any pesticides or herbicides.
Failed to
pass House.
Contact Representative Harold V. Lynde (603) 635-7215.
- H.R. 221 proposing mandatory labeling for milk products known to
contain
genetically engineered growth hormone. Failed to pass full vote March
25,
1999.
Contact Representative Sandra B. Keans (603) 332-3472.
- Mandatory labeling for milk products known to contain genetically
engineered growth hormone. Not carried over after adjournment, June 25,
1997.
Contact former Representative McCarley.
- Mandatory labeling for milk products known to contain genetically
engineered growth hormone. Failed to pass full vote, March 15, 1995.
Contact Representative Pamela Coughlin (603) 673-0998.
NEW YORK:
Active Legislation
- Mandatory labeling for milk that is produced by cows that are fed
growth
hormones. Introduced March 16, 1999. Contact State Assemblyman
Clarence
Norman, Jr. (518) 455-5262.
- A. 5741 Implementing a five-year moratorium on the sale an planting
of
genetically engineered seeds. Contact Sarah Johnston, Executive
Director,
NOFA New York, (518) 922-7937.
OKLAHOMA
Active Legislation
- Task force to decide whether genetically modified food should be
served
in public schools.
PENNSYLVANIA
Active Legislation
- H.R. 453 urges Congress to enact legislation requiring the labeling
of
genetically engineered food. Introduced April 11, 2000. Referred to
House
Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs.
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Active Legislation
- H.B. 1169 Relating to the prevention of environmental terrorism,
making
it illegal to damage biological organisms, also extending that
protection to
all field crops and livestock. Passed House Agriculture Committee by a
vote
of 11-1.
TEXAS
- H.B. 55 Relating to the release of genetically modified organisms.
Prohibits the release of a genetically modified organism unless the
person
prepares and files an environmental impact assessment. Defines a
"genetically modified organism" as an organism that has been altered at
the
molecular or single-cell level, including an organism changed or created
through recombinant DNA techniques or other similar genetic engineering
techniques. Passed January 30, 1995.
VERMONT
Active Legislation
- H.B. 247 and S.B. 79 Comprehensive legislation requiring mandatory
labeling of agricultural inputs produced with the use of genetic
engineering, including seeds, a two year moratorium on the planting of
genetically engineered seeds and plant parts, as well as labeling and
notification requirements. Introduced January 5, 2000. Sponsored by
Reps.
Woodward and Zuckerman, and Senator Rivers.
Contact Senator Cheryl P.
Rivers, (802) 234-5803.
- Planting moratorium bill was reduced to farmer notification, passed
by
Senate Agriculture Committee 2000, and subsequently held up by Senate
Finance Committee.
Contact Ellen Taggert, ruralvt@sover.net.
- H.B. 382 Directing the University of Vermont to study the
consequences
of genetically engineered crops and livestock on Vermont agriculture.
Carried over to Adjourned Session of 1999-2000 Biennium.
- H.B. 567 Requesting the University of Vermont study the impact of
genetically engineered crops and livestock on Vermont agriculture.
Past Legislation
- Labeling for genetically engineered food. Introduced February 26,
1993.
Contact former Representative Christiansen.
WEST VIRGINIA
Past Legislation
- S.B. 605 Requiring foods free from genetically modified components
and
pesticides served in schools. Not carried over after adjournment, March
19,
2000.
- S.B. 150 Relating to Plant Pest Act; permits compliance agreements;
includes genetically modified organisms within the definition of plant
pest
since technological changes mandate the capability of the Department to
protect public health. Passed April 3, 1991.
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
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