Brief Description: Moving a web site address from statute to rule.

Sponsors: Representatives Linville, Schoesler and Grant; by request of Department of Agriculture.

Hearing Date: 1/28/03

Staff: Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

The state's fertilizer laws require commercial fertilizer sold in this state to be accompanied by a label containing statements that identify a number of the characteristics of the fertilizer. One of the required statements must identify the internet address at which information regarding the components of the product, or information regarding the contents and levels of metals in the product, are available. Two versions of a state internet address at which this information may be found are listed by statute. Specifications for an internet address maintained by the registrant of the fertilizer that may be listed as an alternative to one of the state sites are also listed by statute. For packaged fertilizers, the label must be affixed to the package. For bulk fertilizers, a written statement containing the same information required for a label must be supplied to the purchaser. (RCW 15.54.340.)

Summary of Bill:

Internet addresses are no longer specified by statute for state sites at which information regarding the content of a commercial fertilizer may be found. The authority of a label to refer persons to a site maintained by a registrant in lieu of referring them to a state site is eliminated. The label for a commercial fertilizer must now contain a statement, established by rule, that refers persons to the state Department of Agriculture's Uniform Resource Locator internet address where data regarding the metals content is located.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2004.