House committee advances bill to ban cultured-meat products, removes plant-based exemption
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Summary
The House Agriculture Committee voted to advance House Bill 50 96 after adopting an amendment that removes an exemption for plant-based substitutes, a sponsor said the measure aims to protect South Carolina’s food supply even if courts later review it.
The South Carolina House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Committee advanced House Bill 50 96 on a voice and roll-call vote after adopting an amendment that removes an exemption for plant-based meat substitutes.
Representative Hadden, a sponsor, told the committee the subcommittee heard from cattle and poultry producers and argued the measure is a preemptive step to "protect our food supply." He urged members to review materials about so-called "fake meat," saying "YouTube fake meat, specifically meat glue. Yes, yes, this is as bad as it sounds." Hadden said the amendment would strike language excluding plant-based products so the bill would apply more broadly.
After Hadden moved for adoption of Amendment 1, the committee conducted a roll call and recorded the adoption. Hadden then moved for passage of the bill as amended. Members discussed the potential for litigation in Florida — which has been the site of similar legal challenges — but emphasized this committee’s role in reviewing policy for state residents. Chairman Hixson noted that committee approval is only the next step: the bill would still need floor consideration and then the Senate.
The committee chair announced that the bill was reported out of committee; the roll call recorded a majority in favor and several members absent. No floor date was set during the meeting.
The committee’s action was procedural: adopting an amendment to broaden the bill’s scope and forwarding HB 50 96 to the House floor for further consideration.
