Chairman Peck opened the hearing on SB390.

Tamara Lawrence, Senior Assistant Revisor presented an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)

Ms. Lawrence stood for questions.

Proponent In-Person:

Senator Titus spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 2). He stated that he requested this bill to ensure that our children are provided with healthy food options at school and he believes that healthy eating is the first step towards healthy living and better learning.

Senator Titus stood for questions.

Representative Schwertfeger spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 3)  The Representative strongly supports SB390 and asks that the committee pass the bill to eliminate the unnecessary adding of artificial food colors to food at schools. "Let's feed kids healthy alternatives to synthetic food dyes". Would like to see an amendment to take BHA off the list.

Representative Schwertfeger stood for qustions.

Claudia Elkins, private citizen, strongly supports the bill. (Attachment 4) The additives in the bill are on the EWG's Dirty dozen Guide to Food Chemicals: The top 12 to avoid. Fifteen states have already enacted bills addressing food chemical policy.

Ms. Elkins stood to questions.

The following provided Proponent Written-Only testimony:

Debbie Detmer, KS MAHA Council (Attachment 5)

Jill O'Connor, OP Precinct Committee Woman,5-18 (Attachment 6)

Jared Shiffman, private citizen (Attachment 7)

Lauren Shiffman, private citizen (Attachment 8)

Kathleen Wimmer, private citizen (Attachment 9)

Mimi Greene, Visiting Fellow, FGA Action (Attachment 10)

Ashley Hayek, America First Works (Attachment 11)

Kelly McKenna, CEO, End Chronic Disease (Attachment 12)

Opponent In-Person:

John Donley, representing the Kansas Pork Association spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 13) One of the additives Butylated Hydroxyanisol (BHA) is widely used in foods to delay oxidation, prevent rancidity, and extend shelf life and the quality of meat products.The members of the Kansas Pork Association respectfully request that the committee does not move this proposal forwad without amending the bill to remove the reference to BHA.

Mr. Donley stood for questions

The following provided Opponent Written-Only testimony:

Vikki Mullins, Kansas PTA President (Attachment 14)

Neutral In-Person:

Randy Stookey, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs  & General Cousel, Kansas Grain and Feed Association gave Neutral testimony on the bill. (Attachment 15) Respectfully request that the committee amend  the bill to remove reference to BHA.

Mr. Stookey stood for questions.

Shannon Kimball, Government Relations Specialist, Kansas Association of School Boards (Attachment 16) We share with you the importance of our kids receiving healthy foods in our schools. Some considerations in this bill, one is that this will result in some cost increases in food service programs.

Ms. Kimball stood for questions.

The following provided Neutral Written-Only testimony.

Shahira Stafford, Kansas Cooperative Council (Attachment 17)

Chairman Peck closed the hearing on SB390 .