Menu Labeling in Washington
HB 3160 and SB 6659, Statewide Nutrition Information
Issue Overview: House Bill 3160 and Senate Bill 6659 would adopt a statewide labeling and nutrition disclosure standard for restaurant chains located in Washington state if they have more than 25 locations throughout the United States. These bills would preempt local boards of health or health districts from adopting their own rules regarding menu labeling and nutritional information disclosure requirements.
Senate Bill 6505 would adopt for the entire state the same restrictive and expensive menu labeling requirements (addressing content and "chain" restaurant size). The bill provides no pre-emption of local boards or health districts from adopting additional menu labeling requirements.
Issue Background: Obesity has been identified as a significant national public health risk, and governments at all levels are looking at different proposals to address it. In the summer of 2007, King County adopted rules requiring all chain restaurants within its borders to provide specific nutrition information on their menus.
NFIB Position: NFIB supports HB 3160 and SB 6659; opposes SB 6505.
Issue Status: HB 3160 passed the House and is pending in the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. SB 6505 is dead for the 2008 session.
