Brief⁽¹⁾

S.B. 292 would transfer the authority with respect to the enforcement of labeling as to country of origin, for meat, poultry, eggs, and butter from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to the Kansas Attorney General. Current law requires that any retailer or wholesaler of any meats, whether canned, frozen, or cured; poultry; butter; or eggs offered for sale which are imported to be labeled as to country of origin. Under the provisions of the bill, the Attorney General would have the authority to apply to the district court for a temporary or permanent injunction, to institute appropriate proceedings in the proper court, to prosecute in the manner provided by law, and to adopt rules and regulations as the Attorney General deems appropriate to enforce the provision of law relating to proper labeling of these products.

Background

Proponents of the bill included Representative Bruce Larkin; Senator Ed Pugh; representatives of the Kansas Farmers Union and the Kansas Cattleman's Association; and three individuals. Representatives of the Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment appeared before the Committee to present information on the bill. A spokesperson from the Kansas Livestock Association appeared as a neutral conferee.

The fiscal note on the bill indicates that both the Department of Health and Environment and the Attorney General indicate that the passage of the bill would have no fiscal impact.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html.