Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H113 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3481 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 113
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Nicholas A. Boldyga
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
12	12	resolve:
13	13	Resolve to make America healthy again.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Nicholas A. Boldyga3rd Hampden1/17/2025 1 of 4
17	17	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3481 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
18	18	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 113
19	19	By Representative Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 113)
20	20	of Nicholas A. Boldyga for an investigation by a special commission relative to the safety of
21	21	certain foods and food additives. Agriculture.
22	22	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23	23	_______________
24	24	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
25	25	(2025-2026)
26	26	_______________
27	27	Resolve to make America healthy again.
28	28	1 Resolved, Section 1. Establishment of Commission
29	29	2 There is hereby established a special commission, to be known as the "Commission to
30	30	3Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives" (hereinafter "the Commission"), to investigate and
31	31	4make recommendations concerning the safety of certain foods and food additives
32	32	5 Section 2. Membership
33	33	6 The Commission shall consist of the following members:
34	34	7 (a) Three medical professionals appointed by the Governor, with expertise in public
35	35	8health, nutrition, or endocrinology.
36	36	9 (b) Two registered dietitians appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
37	37	10specializing in clinical nutrition and public health nutrition.
38	38	11 (c) Two agricultural or food scientists appointed by the Commissioner of the Department
39	39	12of Agricultural Resources, with knowledge in food safety and additive effects. 2 of 4
40	40	13 (d) One representative from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
41	41	14 (e) One representative from the Massachusetts Food Association.
42	42	15 (f) One consumer advocate appointed by the Attorney General, focused on food safety
43	43	16and consumer rights.
44	44	17 (g) One environmental scientist appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental
45	45	18Affairs, with expertise in the environmental impact of food production.
46	46	19 (h) One pediatrician appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health, to address the
47	47	20impact of food additives on children.
48	48	21 (i) Two representatives from a local farmers' market, organic or regenerative farming
49	49	22group, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
50	50	23 (j) Two representatives from a local farmers' market. organic or regenerative farming
51	51	24group, appointed by the Senate President.
52	52	25 The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission from among its members.
53	53	26 Section 3. Scope of Study
54	54	27 The Commission shall study the following foods and food additives, among others it may
55	55	28deem relevant:
56	56	29 (a) High Fructose Corn Syrup
57	57	30 (b) Seed Oils; including but not limited to soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed, and
58	58	31sunflower oils 3 of 4
59	59	32 (c) Artificial Coloring Dyes
60	60	33 (d) Monosodium Glutamate
61	61	34 (e) Artificial Sweeteners; including but not limited to Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin
62	62	35 (f) Trans Fats
63	63	36 (g) Sodium Nitrite/Nitrate used in processed meats
64	64	37 (h) Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging
65	65	38 The Commission may also consider emerging additives or foods of concern based on
66	66	39public discourse, scientific studies, or recommendations by local, state, and federal health
67	67	40agencies.
68	68	41 Section 4. Powers and Duties
69	69	42 The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
70	70	43 (a) To hold public hearings and conduct research.
71	71	44 (b) To employ staff necessary to carry out its functions.
72	72	45 (c) To issue subpoenas for the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses.
73	73	46 Section 5. Reporting
74	74	47 The Commission shall issue a report with its findings and recommendations to the
75	75	48Governor, the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the public no later than two
76	76	49years from the date of its first meeting. This report shall include: 4 of 4
77	77	50 (a) An assessment of the health impacts of the studied foods and additives.
78	78	51 (b) Recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions to improve food safety.
79	79	52 (c) Suggestions for public education campaigns on food health.
80	80	53 Section 6. Funding
81	81	54 There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund the sum of $2,000,000 for the
82	82	55biennium to fund the operations of the Commission, including staff salaries, research, hearings,
83	83	56and other necessary expenditures.