SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6316

                    As of January 18, 2000

Title:  An act relating to dairy nutrient management program funding.

Brief Description:  Requiring funding recommendations for the dairy management program.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Morton and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  1/19/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  Under the Dairy Nutrient Management Act of 1998, each dairy farm in the state is required to develop a dairy nutrient management plan by July 1, 2002 and to fully implement the plan by December 31, 2003.  If dairy farms do not meet deadlines, an additional fine of $100 per month per violation is to be assessed.  These fines are in addition to any fines assessed for water quality violations.

The Conservation Commission is required to file a report with the Legislature by December 1, 1999 evaluating whether fiscal resources is sufficient to develop and certify plans by the established deadlines.  If insufficient, the report is to estimate the amount of funding necessary.

Dairy producers are not to be held responsible for noncompliance with planning requirements if conservation districts are unable to perform their duties due to lack of funding.  However, dairy producers continue to be subject to fines for failure to obtain certification that plans have been fully implemented.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of Financial Management, after consultation with the State Conservation Commission and local conservation districts, must develop recommendations to provide adequate funding for the dairy nutrient management program.

The recommendations must include an identification of need, if any, for additional funding for each of the following purposes:

(A)to perform functions required by conservation districts and the State Conservation Commission;

(B)to provide technical assistance for development of plans; and

(C)for cost-share moneys for implementation of plans based on 50 percent of the eligible costs to be derived from public sources.

The recommendations must be for the amount of funding required each fiscal year, assuming the deadlines established in the 1998 act will be met.  If a lower funding level is recommended, then it must be accompanied by a recommendation that the deadlines be extended to a specific date.

The recommendations must be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate before December 20, 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 18, 2000.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.