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Introduced Version House Bill 2207 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2207


          (By Delegate Manypenny)
          [Introduced February 13, 2013; referred to the
          Committee on Agriculture then Finance.]




A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §19-2H-1, §19-2H-2 and  §19-2H-3, all relating to creating the "Genetically          Engineered Organism Liability Act"; making legislative          findings; creating liability for injuries arising from         the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment; providing that liability is nonwaivable; and defines a term.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §19-2H-1, §19-2H-2 and §19-2H-3, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2H. GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISM LIABILITY ACT.
§19-2H-1. Short title.
_____This article may be cited as the "Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act."
§19-2H-2. Legislative findings.
_____The Legislature finds the following:
_____(1) The negative consequences of genetically engineered crops may impact farmers who grow these crops, neighbor farmers who do not grow these crops and consumers;
_____(2) Biotech companies are selling a technology that is being commercialized ahead of the new and unknown science of genetic engineering;
_____(3) Farmers may suffer from crop failures, neighbor and nearby farmers may suffer from cross pollination, increased insect resistance, and unwanted volunteer genetically engineered plants and consumers may suffer from health and environmental impacts; and
_____(4) Biotech companies should be found liable for the failures of genetically engineered crops when they arise.
§19-2H-3. Liability.
_____(a)
Cause of action. -- A biotech company is liable to any party injured by the release of a genetically engineered organism into the environment if that injury results from that genetic engineering. The prevailing plaintiff in an action under this subsection may also recover reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation expenses.
_____(b)
Nonwaivable. -- The liability created by subsection (a) may not be waived or otherwise avoided by contract.
_____(c)
Definition. -- As used in this section, the term "biotech company" means a person:
_____(1) Engaged in the business of genetically engineering an organism; or
_____(2) Obtained the patent rights to such an organism for the purposes of commercial exploitation of that organism.


          
     NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the "Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act." The bill makes legislative findings. The bill establishes liability for injuries arising from the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment and that liability is nonwaivable. The bill also defines a term.

     This article is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.
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