THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

486

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOOD LABELING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the prevalent, modern food system is a major driver of climate change, changes in land use, depletion of fresh water resources, and pollution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through excessive nitrogen and phosphorus inputs.  The food system threatens ten thousand species with extinction, emits about thirty per cent of greenhouse gases, and drives eighty per cent of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.  In particular, transporting non-local food items to Hawaii contributes significantly to greenhouse gases.  Imported foods have a higher environmental impact and contribute to climate change.

     The legislature further finds that mandatory labels support sustainable consumption and may mitigate climate change.  Mandatory environmental labels would allow consumers to differentiate between products that were produced with high and low environmental impacts.

     The purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the Hawaii climate change and mitigation and adaptation commission to review and report on environmental impact labeling and possible methods of implementation in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall conduct a comprehensive review and submit a report of the concept of food labeling based on the food's environmental impact.  The report shall include recommendations on how to implement and label food with the food's environmental impact on the label.  The commission shall submit the report, including its findings and recommendations, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 for the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to review the concept of food labeling based on the food's environmental impact and report its findings and recommendations on how to implement this type of food labeling in Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Food Labeling; Environmental Impact; Report; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to review and report on the concept of food labeling based on the food's environmental impact and make recommendations on how to implement this type of food labeling.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.