FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1426

                         C 341 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing the center for sustaining agriculture and natural resources, and the food and environmental quality laboratory as research and extension programs of Washington State University.

By House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Grant, Ballard, Rayburn, Nealey, Rust, Belcher, Ludwig, Prince, Heavey, Inslee, Bray, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Lisk, Kremen, Spanel and Edmondson).

House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Water Resources

Background:  State law designates courses of instruction in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and economic science (as it applies to agriculture and rural life) as exclusive major lines of instruction at Washington State University (WSU).  WSU, a federal land grant university, is the research, instructional, and administrative center for the cooperative extension program in this state.

The federal Interregional Research Project Number Four

(IR-4) program was established to provide data required for the registration of pesticides for the production of minor crops.

Amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act require pesticides registered with the federal government before November 1, 1984, to be reregistered under current registration standards and criteria.

Summary:

Center & Lab Created:  A Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources is established at WSU.  A Food and Environmental Quality Laboratory, to be operated by WSU, is created at the Tri-Cities if funding for the laboratory is specifically provided in the 1991-1993 biennial budget.

Center:  The center's primary activities include:  (1)  research programs focusing on alternative production and marketing systems through integrated pest management, biological pest control, applied genetics, conservation, and knowledge of ecological nutrient management; (2) extension programs focusing on on-farm demonstrations and evaluations of alternative production practices and on information dissemination and training regarding sustainable agriculture; and (3) on-farm testing and research regarding costs, benefits, and trade-offs inherent in farming systems and technologies.

The center will be managed by an administrator who holds a joint appointment as an assistant director in WSU's Agricultural Research Center and Cooperative Extension.  An advisory committee is created.  The administrator must consult the advisory committee in recommending research and extension priorities for the center, conducting a competitive grants process, and advising WSU on the progress of the center's programs.

The center must submit annual reports to the Legislature.  The initial report is due November 1, 1992.

Laboratory:  The laboratory is established to conduct pesticide residue studies concerning fresh and processed foods, residues in the environment, and human and animal safety.  The laboratory must: (1) conduct studies on  pesticides on crops and in the environment; (2) improve pesticide information and education programs; (3) assist federal and state agencies with questions regarding the registration of pesticides which are deemed critical to crop production; (4) assist in the registration of biopesticides, pheromones, and other alternative chemical and biological pest control methods; and (5) evaluate regional requirements for minor crop registration through the federal Interregional Research Project Number Four (IR-4) program.  The laboratory must conduct research activities using procedures and recordkeeping required of the IR-4 program and must coordinate its activities with the IR-4 program.  It must also cooperate with public and private laboratories in Idaho, Oregon, and this state.

An advisory board is created to advise the laboratory.  The advisory board must use certain specified criteria in reviewing the chemicals investigated by the laboratory.

Registration Information Program:  If funding is provided in the 1991-1993 operating budget, the state's Department of Agriculture must develop a program to provide assistance and information to grower organizations on the registration and reregistration of pesticides.  An advisory committee is created to assist the department.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96   0

Senate 44   0    (Senate amended)

House            (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

Senate 45   0

House  96   0

Effective:    July 28, 1991