Environment Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6385
AN ACT CONCERNING ENHANCEMENTS TO CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL
Title: PROGRAMS.
Vote Date: 2/26/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: February 10, 2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
The Department of Agriculture (DOAG) requests enhancements to various agricultural
programs. Changes include adding product to the Farmers Nutrition Program, update to "CT
Grown" program, consumer protection at egg stands, fees and citations.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Byan Hurlburt, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
HB 6385 Sections 1 and 2 expands the definition of "fresh produce" to include chicken and
eggs under the Farmers Market Nutrition program that WIC and Seniors are eligible to
participate in. The expanded definition allows and additional source of protein available to
program participants and increases markets for farmers.
HB 63885 Section 3 simplifies and harmonizes "CT Grown" language for commonality across
all marketing efforts.
HB 6385 Section 4 increases fines to $50 for first offense and $200 for each additional
offense for violation of "CT Grown" labeling.
HB 6385 Section 5 creates consumer protection at egg stands requiring eggs kept at 45
degrees or less, unadulterated and labeled. This is a standard at traditional farmers markets
and does not burden the farmer.
HB 6385 Section 6 removes the Class D felony for improper seed labeling and leaves the
monetary fine intact.
HB 6385 Section 7 requests Commissioners designees to issue citations under CGS 51-
164n. Additional changes are required for this to occur. The Commissioners powers under
CGS 22-4c need to be updated, and second update to CGS 51-164n to correctly list the
statutes that DOAG can issue citations. DOAG requests the submitted bill language to issue
citations within the purview of DOAG.
If the submitted language is not approved, DOAG will continue to use the civil penalty method
for enforcement. The current process is time consuming and burdensome. Current process
is rarely used as it involved a hearing and if a civil penalty, the Attorney General's office gets
involved bringing the case to superior court.
HB6385 Section 8 increases check booklet for the Farmers Nutrition Program for WIC
(currently $15) and Seniors (currently $18) to $20. This is likely to increase the participation
rated for the check booklets.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Susan Provost, Executive Director, CT Greenhouse Growers Association
CT Greenhouse Growers Association (CGGA) supports HB6385. CGGA supports the
changes and enforcement of "CT Grown" products labeling, as it used to "denigrate CT
agriculture" by mis-labeling less expensive, non-native products.
The additions of chicken and eggs to the Farmers Market Nutrition program is beneficial for
those members who raise chickens and produce eggs and provides protein nutritional value
to those on WIC and seniors' programs.
Representative Mushinsky
Request to Amend HB6385:
DOAG requests expansion of rabbit farming for meat in HB6385. If the state chooses to
expand rabbit farming, the state must plan to address rabbit hemorrhagic disease spreading
west to east across the country. DOAG and DEEP should be involved to create a plan to
deal with this fatal disease. There is a vaccine, supply is limited, and the cost is high for
domestic rabbits.
Amend the bill to require DOAG and DEEP to prepare a plan to deal with rabbit hemorrhagic
disease.
Bonnie E. Burr, Assistant Director, UCONN CT Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory
CT Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) provides further information to amend
HB6385. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease cannot spread from rabbit to humans. Transmission
of the virus between rabbits can spread via droppings or blood. The virus survives in
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carcasses, food, water, and contaminated materials and is easily spreadable. The CVMDL
provides disease surveillance for other diseases in addition to rabbit hemorrhagic disease in
support of state agencies, federal agencies, farmers and others to monitor Connecticut's
environment.
Mary Ellen Crawford
Request to Amend HB6385. Requests additional language to HB6385 "to include a study
and preparation for the arrive of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is
extremely deadly to both native and domestic rabbit breeds. Native species are prey for
several animals up the food chain and the decimation of local rabbit populations will have a
profound effect on Connecticut's ecology.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None
Reported by: Steve Smith Date: 3/11/2021
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Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-6q, 22-38, 22-39f, 22-47, 22-61j
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 22-6q, 22-38, 22-39f, 22-61j, 22-6i, 22-6j, 22-6l, 22-26j
File No. 134: 22-6q, 22-38, 22-39f, 22-61j, 22-6i, 22-6j, 22-6l, 22-26j
APP Joint Favorable: 22-6q, 22-38, 22-39f, 22-61j, 22-6i, 22-6j, 22-6l, 22-26j
Public Act No. 21-155: 22-6q, 22-38, 22-39f, 22-61j, 22-6i, 22-6j, 22-6l, 22-26j