SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6194
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, January 17, 2008
Title: An act relating to the registration and administration of fertilizers.
Brief Description: Regulating fertilizers.
Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Schoesler, Morton, Hatfield and Shin; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 1/17/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Jacobsen, Morton and Shin.
Staff: Sam Thompson (786-7413)
Background: The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) requires commercial
fertilizer to be registered by producers, importers, or packagers before distribution. Bulk fertilizer
does not require registration if all commercial fertilizer products in the final product are already
registered. Applications for registration include a 50 dollar fee. Applicants are also registered for
two-year periods.
Commercial fertilizer distributed in Washington must be clearly labeled. Bulk commercial
fertilizer must be distributed with a written or printed statement supplied to the purchaser at the
time of delivery.
Registrants or licensees distributing commercial fertilizer must file semiannual reports with
WSDA. These reports must state the net tons of each commercial fertilizer distributed in
Washington. Individuals responsible for paying inspection fees must include the fees with the
report. Registrants or licensees distributing less than 83 tons of commercial fertilizer, less than
167 tons of commercial lime, or an equivalent combination of the two, must pay a minimum fee
of 25 dollars.
WSDA maintains a publicly-accessible database of fertilizer registration information. The agency
also reports biennially to the Legislature on levels of nonnutritive substances in fertilizers.
Summary of Bill: The registration requirement for customer-formula fertilizers is eliminated
if all the components of the fertilizer are registered.
Requirements for labeling of packaged, bulk, and customer-formula fertilizers are clarified.
Due dates for fertilizer distribution reports are specified. Provisions regarding late fees are
clarified.
Technical changes revise or remove obsolete language.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This agency request legislation makes several nonsubstantive changes to update or eliminate obsolete language and clarify administrative provisions. Affected businesses participated in the drafting process and support the measure.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Mary Beth Lang, Ted Maxwell, WSDA; Dan Coyne, Far West Agribusiness Association.