The prevalence of obesity in the state has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. While there is certainly more than one cause for this increase, many public health authorities and nutrition experts believe that sugar-sweetened beverages are a unique contributor to excess caloric consumption. The effects of obesity are of particular concern because obesity is associated with health ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. Medical costs are also a growing concern; each year, obesity-related ailments account for $147 billion in health care costs nationally. Much of these costs are paid publicly through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, putting a strain on states' limited resources. The purpose of this hearing is to provide various organizations the opportunity to comment on the merits of Assembly bill 2320-A and to suggest amendments, if any, in order to address the problems associated with obesity.

Persons invited to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to five minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in receiving testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons invited to testify at the public hearing on whether to require manufacturers of sugar-sweetened beverages to place a safety warning on the containers of such beverages and in places where such beverages are served are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email, or fax it to: