Anti GMO activists have been lobbying at the capitol to have hearing on a labeling bill that would also restrict imported GMO foods to Hawaii.
HB 174 was stuck in the senate and several different groups daily have lobbied Senators to hear the bill. Their focus has been on the Senate agriculture committee – headed by Sen. Clarence Nishihara.
Yesterday, Senate Democrats called a recess in the middle of the floor session, and went behind closed doors for nearly an hour. When they emerged, they announced three committees would jointly hear the bill.
The Senate agriculture committee, Health Committee and Consumer Protection committee chairmen will hold a hearing on Thursday from 9 to 11 am.
But the scope of the bill will be restricted to labeling after an attorney general’s opinion said that the bills attempt to limited imported foods is unconstitutional.
Despite the hearing tomorrow, some Senators say they believe the bill is not likely to survive in the Senate.