HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1702

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the beef commission.

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions regarding composition of the beef commission.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rasmussen, Prince, Jacobsen and Rayburn).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Agriculture & Rural Development, February 21, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 98-0;

Passed Legislature, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1702 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Nealey, Ranking Minority Member; P. Johnson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Grant; R. Johnson; Lisk; McLean; Rasmussen; and Roland.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  The Washington State Beef Commission is composed of the following nine voting members:  three beef producers, one dairy beef producer, three feeders, one livestock saleyard operator, and one meat packer.  These members are appointed by the governor and serve three year terms of office.  A representative of the Department of Agriculture serves as a nonvoting member of the commission.

Summary of Bill:  The voting membership of the Beef Commission is expanded to include one additional dairy beef producer.  All members of the commission are now appointed by the director of the Department of Agriculture, rather than, under current law, by the governor.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (1)  Assessments collected by the Beef Commission were expanded in the 1980s to apply to dairy calves.  The revenues from this new source justify expanding the dairy industry's representation on the commission.  (2)  It takes months to get an appointment through the governor's office.  Having appointments be made by the director of the Department of Agriculture will ensure that the commission operates with its full membership.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Dan Coyne and Dedi Hitchens, Washington State Dairy Federation (in favor); and Marlyta Deck, Washington Cattlemen's Association (in favor).