Chair moves to give HB 444 a favorable report after debate over seafood origin labeling

The chair of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee introduced House Bill 444 and moved to give it a favorable report at the committee meeting that convened shortly after 9:45 a.m. The chair said they were handling the bill for Representative Brown, who could not attend, and noted the bill arrived late in the session.

The chair framed HB 444 around consumer disclosure of origin for seafood served at restaurants, saying consumers "want to know where their food comes from" and noting earlier state efforts to require posting of origin information. The chair referenced a prior country-of-origin measure for the catfish industry sponsored by Senator Singleton and said the local shrimp and fish industries have "suffered greatly due to imports." The chair also cautioned the committee that "this bill probably goes a little too far," but described the bill's intent as sound.

On enforcement, the chair said the committee's preference would be for the restaurant industry and the Department of Health to ensure compliance during routine inspections: "I want to see the restaurant association, the restaurants do the right thing. And I want to see the health department do their job." The chair proposed moving the bill out of committee but letting it "sit the rest of the year" to allow industry and regulators time to act.

The chair moved to give HB 444 a favorable report. The motion was seconded by Senator Williams and the committee members responded verbally in favor; the chair announced that the bill had received a favorable report. The committee meeting concluded with brief thanks from the chair.

The committee did not read a roll-call tally for the motion in the transcript; the recorded action was a verbal assent and the chair's announcement that the bill was given a favorable report. The committee did not record any amendments or referrals in the portion of the transcript provided.