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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 168
BY REPRESENTATIVE LORUSSO
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To create a study committee to study and make recommendations with respect to the
implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
WHEREAS, approximately forty-eight million people, or one in six Americans, get
sick, one hundred twenty-eight thousand are hospitalized, and three thousand die each year
from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; and
WHEREAS, this is a significant public health burden that is largely preventable; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has a world-renowned culture known for its unique cuisine
and products and a deep commitment to safety and quality; and
WHEREAS, the passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
created historic changes in food safety law on a national scale by authorizing increased
enforcement capability for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), creating
more accountability for farmers, and mandating enhanced partnerships between the FDA and
state and local regulatory authorities; and
WHEREAS, the FSMA builds a formal system of collaboration with other
government agencies, both domestic and foreign, in recognition that all food safety agencies
need to work together in an integrated way to achieve our public health goals.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create a study committee, composed of members as hereinafter provided, to study and make
recommendations to the legislature with respect to the implementation of the FDA Food
Safety Modernization Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee shall be composed of the
following members: ENROLLEDHCR NO. 168
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(1) The assistant secretary of the office of public health of the Department of Health
and Hospitals or his designee.
(2) A representative from the sanitarian services division of the office of public
health of the Department of Health and Hospitals appointed by the assistant secretary of the
office of public health.
(3) The commissioner of agriculture or his designee.
(4) The president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association or his designee.
(5) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry or his
designee.
(6) The executive director of the Louisiana Retailers Association or his designee.
(7) The president of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association
or his designee.
(8) The president of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his designee.
(9) One member representing the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
appointed by the vice president for Agriculture.
(10) One member representing the Southern University Agricultural Center
appointed by the chancellor of the center.
(11) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(12) One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
(13) One member appointed by the chairman of the House Committee on Health and
Welfare.
(14) One member appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and
Welfare.
(15) The executive director of the Louisiana Meat Processors Association or his
designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the study committee shall serve
without compensation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the assistant secretary of the office of public
health of the Department of Health and Hospitals or his designee shall serve as chair of the ENROLLEDHCR NO. 168
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study committee and shall convene the first meeting of the committee no later than
September 1, 2014.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of the Department of Health and
Hospitals shall designate staff of the department to assist the study committee in performing
its duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee shall meet as necessary and
shall report its findings to the legislature not later than January 30, 2015.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE