SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5115

BYSenators Barr, Hansen, Gaspard, Bailey and Newhouse

Revising regulation of livestock markets.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 20, 1989

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

AS OF JANUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Public livestock markets are licensed by the Department of Agriculture through the Livestock Services Division.  When an application for a new public livestock market license is made, the department requires information including:  the size of the market, the schedule of rates and charges for services rendered, projected income and expenses, and the proposed days that the market will operate.

Each livestock market is allocated sale days on which its market may operate during the year.  When a market requests special sale days, the department must approve or deny the request based upon conflict with the allocated days of other markets in the same geographic area.

The Livestock Marketing Association has requested that the department be given the authority to:  (1) require applicants for licenses to disclose their financial ability to construct and operate a livestock market, and (2) revoke a market's allocated days for lack of use.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Agriculture is authorized to require an applicant for a public livestock market license to show financial ability to construct a new market or to purchase an existing market, and to obtain the necessary financing to operate the public livestock market.

If any public livestock market licensee fails to conduct regular sales on allocated sale days, the director is authorized to revoke the days.  The minimum rate of usage shall be established by rule.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 11, 1989