GMO labeling bills will not advance in the state Senate by an internal procedural deadline this week, diminishing the chances that labeling will be passed at the Legislature this session.

Two bills that would require the labeling of genetically modified foods in Hawaii by January have not been scheduled for action in the Senate by Friday, the deadline to prepare bills for exchange with the House next week.

The Senate Health Committee had passed the bills but they await action by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and — for one of the bills — the Senate Agriculture Committee.

"There just doesn’t seem to be consensus on a way to move forward, so it’s highly unlikely," said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (D, West Maui-South Maui), chairwoman of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

Baker and other senators have raised doubts about the state’s legal authority to require GMO labeling, because the federal government regulates food.

"I don’t think it’s going to happen," said state Sen. Clarence Nishihara (D, Waipahu-Pearl City), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sen. David Ige (D, Pearl Harbor-Pearl City-Aiea), chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he would defer to Baker and Nishihara, whose committees have jurisdiction over the issue. Ige has previously said that he does not support a state GMO labeling requirement.

Some senators said privately that there may not be the necessary votes on the committees even if the bills were heard.

The Senate would still have the option of taking up a GMO labeling bill that the House passed last session, although that move would be unexpected.

The House could also amend a related Senate bill that will cross over next week to keep the issue alive.

Rep. Jessica Wooley (D, Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe), chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee, who favors GMO labeling, said Wednesday that she is not ready to give up.

"The time is not yet here where the door is closed," she said.

A recent Hawaii Poll for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now found that 76 percent wanted the Legislature to take action on GMO labeling, although only 25 percent of voters interviewed were very familiar with the issue.

Biotechnology companies and the food industry have urged voluntary labeling as a marketing option for food manufacturers and retailers.