Representative Heather Scott introduced RS 31941 to the House Agriculture Committee, saying the proposal "is a bill designed to enhance empower consumers regarding the foods they purchase and consume." The measure would add a new chapter to Title 37 to establish labeling requirements for alternative animal proteins, including cultivated (cell‑cultured) meat and insect‑based proteins.

The bill text reported to the committee calls for clear front‑of‑package labeling, ingredient lists, and both a common name and scientific name where relevant. Scott said the Idaho Department of Agriculture (ISDA) would oversee compliance and that the bill includes a penalty provision written as a $500 fine per misidentified item. "I think Idahoans have the right to know what's in the food they eat," Scott said.

Committee members asked how the bill would apply in institutional settings and about food‑safety oversight. Representative Levitt asked whether labeling would apply to school lunches and correctional facilities; Scott said the draft focuses on packaging and restaurants and she would "check and make sure that we have the language in there that would cover that" if the bill moves to a hearing. Representative Deiger asked for information about safety testing and nutritional quality; Deiger requested "information in terms of how this product has been tested in terms of food safety and in terms of nutritional quality and value for us." Scott told members the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture currently share oversight responsibilities: she said the FDA oversees cell collection, culturing and initial safety for cultured meat, while the USDA regulates harvesting, processing and labeling.

Scott also told the committee the bill is meant to be a labeling approach rather than an outright ban; she said other states have moved to ban or litigate against these products. In her remarks Scott cited market‑size figures presented as industry projections and a June 2023 federal approval event: she said the lab‑grown meat sector "was approved in the US back in June of 2023" and cited industry revenue projections; the transcript contains inconsistent year/figure details and Scott framed those numbers as projections.

After questions, Representative Garner moved to introduce RS 31941. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded on the transcript.

The sponsor said ISDA can implement the proposal with current staff and that the fiscal note shows no immediate state fiscal cost. Scott said she spoke to the Farm Bureau and planned to consult further with producer groups before a hearing.

Votes at a glance: Motion to introduce RS 31941 — moved by Representative Garner; outcome: motion approved by voice vote; no roll‑call recorded.

The committee did not take final action on the substance of the bill; introducing the RS advances it to the next step for formal introduction and a future public hearing where members expect to gather additional technical and safety information.