Montana HJ6 to Study Impacts and Liability 

Introduced by Rep. Butch Waddill, R-Florence / State of Montana Website 13jan01 

57th Legislature HJ0006.01

Authorized Print Version

1      HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6

2      INTRODUCED BY B. WADDILL 

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4      A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF 

5      MONTANA REQUESTING THAT STAFF OR AN APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE CONDUCT A STUDY 

6      ON THE IMPACTS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT ON MONTANA'S ECONOMY, ANY LIABILITY

7      THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT, THE

8      ECONOMIC, LEGAL, AND AGRONOMIC EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENTS, AND THE USE OF

9      PRODUCTION AND HANDLING SEGREGATION EQUIPMENT AND REQUIRING STAFF OR THE 

10    APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO REPORT ON FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 

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12    WHEREAS, genetically modified organisms pose risks of unknown dimensions to the state's 

13    economy and agricultural industry; and 

14    WHEREAS, planting of genetically engineered crops and the production of products derived from 

15    genetically modified organisms over the past several years has far outpaced the understanding of their 

16    immediate and long-term economic effects; and 

17    WHEREAS, recent market pressures have put people planting genetically modified crops at risk of 

18    losing large sums of money due to the loss of markets in countries restricting imports of genetically 

19    modified organisms; and 

20    WHEREAS, people planting genetically modified crops may also be liable for the damage they may 

21    cause to neighbors' fields that are planted with nongenetically modified organisms or that are organically 

22    farmed; and 

23    WHEREAS, the exchange of genetic material between genetically modified crops and conventional 

24    crops and native plants is known to occur and any adverse characteristics that the genetically modified 

25    organism may transfer or promote can be irrevocably dispersed in a larger environment; and 

26    WHEREAS, potential hazards of producing genetically modified crops may include the development 

27    of insects and weeds resistant to pesticides, the injury or death of nontarget species, crop loss from seeds 

28    that do not yield as expected or that produce crops with unexpected characteristics, and allergenicity, 

29    toxicity, or decreased nutritional value of genetically modified crops. 

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1      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

2      STATE OF MONTANA:

3      That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant

4      to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to study genetically modified wheat:

5      (1) with respect to the impacts on Montana's economy and wheat market, including but not

6      limited to the goals of:

7      (a) determining the costs and benefits associated with the production of genetically modified

8      wheat in Montana;

9      (b) determining the level of market acceptance or rejection of genetically modified wheat and food

10    products which are derived from genetically modified wheat; and 

11    (c) determining the type of impact the production and sale of genetically modified wheat poses 

12    to the markets that are available to Montana wheat producers; 

13    (2) with respect to potential liability, including but not limited to the goals of: 

14    (a) determining if there are liability issues associated with the seeding, growing, and harvesting 

15    of genetically modified wheat; and 

16    (b) determining if there are liability issues associated with the marketing, sale, and handling of 

17    genetically modified wheat; 

18    (3) to determine the economic, legal, and agronomic effects that technology agreements may have 

19    on Montana's wheat industry; 

20    (4) to determine the viability of wheat production and handling segregation technology and 

21    determine the impacts that this segregation technology may have on Montana's wheat industry; and 

22    (5) to determine the need for and potential benefit of revising the laws related to genetically 

23    modified organisms. 

24    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the entity conducting the study: 

25    (1) invite participation by and involvement of interested and knowledgeable persons, including 

26    farmers, ranchers, property owners, industry representatives, representatives of environmental 

27    organizations, and representatives of state and local governmental entities; and 

28    (2) actively seek participation by citizens from all parts of Montana. 

29    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be 

30    presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

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1      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review 

2      requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2002. 

3      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, 

4      comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 58th Legislature. 

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source: http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2001/BillHtml/HJ0006.htm