S-2108

S-2108.1 _______________________________________________

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5957

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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, B. Sheldon, McDonald, Hale, Deccio, Costa, Wojahn and Roach)

Read first time 03/03/1999.

Creating a food labeling task force.

AN ACT Relating to food labeling; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that retaining and enhancing economic viability of farms is vital to improving the prosperity of our rural economies. The legislature finds that farm land will not be retained unless farming operations are profitable. In order to improve the profitability of farms, market demand for the agricultural products needs to be enhanced.

The legislature further finds that consumers are increasingly concerned about the variety of growing conditions, additives, and residues that may result from food growth and production methods in other countries and are demanding more information about the country of origin of the food products they consume.

The purpose of this act is to explore ways to improve consumer information, consumer choice, and market demand for domestically grown agricultural products, including a "Grown in Washington" promotional program and country of origin labeling.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A food labeling task force is created. The task force shall be comprised of thirteen members, who are appointed as follows:

(a) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each major caucus, appointed by the co-speakers of the house of representatives;

(b) Two members of the senate, one from each major caucus, appointed by the president of the senate;

(d) A representative of fruit growers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(e) A representative of vegetable growers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(f) A representative of meat producers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(g) A representative of poultry producers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(h) A representative of fish growers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(i) A representative of food retailers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate;

(j) A representative of food wholesalers, appointed by agreement of the co-speakers of the house of representatives and the president of the senate; and

(k) A representative of the dairy industry appointed by the dairy products commission.

(2) The task force shall convene as soon as possible upon appointment of its members. The task force shall elect a chair and adopt rules for conducting the business of the task force. The house of representatives office of program research and senate committee services shall provide staff support for the task force.

(3) The task force shall conduct an inquiry into and, by December 10, 1999, make recommendations to the legislature regarding:

(a) Country of origin labeling, for retail sale to the ultimate consumer, of agricultural products including bulk fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, and milk products; and

(b) The feasibility of developing a "Grown in Washington" promotional program for agricultural products produced in Washington state.

(4) This section expires December 31, 1999.