Revision: Dec. 15, 2023, 2:56 p.m.
HB 1572-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2145
08/10
HOUSE BILL 1572-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Greeson, Graf. 6; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Cushman, Hills. 28; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill prohibits the use of mRNA technology in food sold in New Hampshire and requires the labeling of lab grown meat and food products containing insects.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2145
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Public Health; Labeling of Lab Grown Meat and Food Products Containing Insects. Amend RSA 146 by inserting after section 21 the following new subdivision:
Labeling of Lab Grown Meat and Food Products Containing Insects
146:22 Short Title. This chapter may be cited as the "food is freedom act."
146:23 Meat Prohibitions and Labeling.
I. In this subdivision:
(a) “Lab grown meat” means meat that is developed from animal cells and grown, with the help of nutrients like amino acids, in massive bioreactors. "Lab grown meat" shall include cultivated meat or cell-based meat.
(b) "mRNA technology" means messenger RNA injected into animals by way of vaccination or genetic nanotechnology material inside of a protective casing added into plant cells.
II. Lab grown meat shall be clearly labeled “lab grown meat” on the front of the package. Any additional ingredients necessary for the manufacture of the product along with the name and address of the lab in which the lab grown meat was produced shall appear on the ingredient label on the back of the package. This label may not be replaced with an FDA Smart Label or any equivalent."
III. No food sold in the state of New Hampshire shall have mRNA technology added to it. Any food determined to contain mRNA technology shall be confiscated by the commissioner of the department of health and human services and the manufacturer fined $10,000 per item discovered. The introduction of mRNA technology into the food supply shall be considered intentional poisoning and shall be a class A felony.
146:24 Insects in Food; Labeling. Food containing insects as an ingredient shall be clearly labeled on the front of the package as “Contains Insects”. The ingredient label shall specify which insects were used in the manufacture of the food product. Failure to declare insects as an ingredient or to specify which insects shall result in the commissioner of the department of health and human services confiscating and destroying all products not properly labeled at the expense of the manufacturer plus the assessment of a fine of $1,000 per item that was not properly labeled.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.
24-2145
12/12/23
HB 1572-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ X ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures | $0 | $85,000 | $96,000 | $98,000 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | ||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill prohibits mRNA technology in foods and requires the labeling of lab-grown meat and food containing insects. The Department of Health and Human Services would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of the bill. The Department anticipates that it will need one additional compliance officer (labor grade 20) to fulfill the additional responsibilities. In addition, the Department expects it will need to purchase a vehicle, computer, workstation, and other related equipment. Projected costs are as follows, assuming the position is filled on January 1, 2025 (the bill's effective date):
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 |
Compliance Officer (LG 20) |
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|
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Salary | $ 23,300 | $ 47,500 | $ 49,500 |
Benefits | $ 16,200 | $ 32,700 | $ 33,100 |
Miscellaneous | $ 45,000 | $ 15,000 | $ 15,000 |
Position Total | $ 84,500 | $ 95,200 | $ 97,600 |
In addition to the impacts above, the bill adds a criminal penalty. Therefore, the bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at:
https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services, Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association