HB 1899 Summary

• Establishes administrative fines for misbranding of fish or fish products that results in consumer illness certified by a licensed physician, with penalty amounts to be determined for first, second, and subsequent violations.

• Creates the Fish Misbranding Special Fund to receive legislative appropriations, fines collected under the misbranding penalties, interest earned, and other available moneys to cover enforcement costs.

• Authorizes the Director of Health to adopt rules prohibiting the sale of fish or fish products that present a credible health concern, with violations treated as violations of existing food and drug safety laws.

• Addresses the widespread problem of seafood mislabeling (28-33% of U.S. seafood is mislabeled at retail), which enables sale of cheaper fish as expensive species and potentially harmful species as safe alternatives.

• Formally names the legislation "Mizutani's Law" and takes effect upon approval.