SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2315

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1992

Brief Description:  Authorizing nursery dealer license surcharges, the proceeds of which will support research.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn, Nealey, Belcher, Grant, R. Johnson, Jacobsen, Kremen and Rasmussen)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

Hearing Dates:

BACKGROUND:

The state's horticultural nursery dealer laws require nursery dealers to be licensed.  A fee schedule for the licenses is established by the Director of Agriculture by rule and is to be based on the total value of a dealer's sales of horticultural plants.  License fees range between $25 and $100.  Licensing fees are deposited in the agricultural local fund and may be used only for the purposes of the nursery dealer laws.  In administering these laws, the director is advised by a nursery advisory committee established by statute.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Agriculture may, with the advice of the nursery advisory committee, establish by rule a surcharge on nursery dealer license fees.  The annual surcharge on a license fee may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of the fee without the surcharge.  The surcharge is to be paid at the same time that the license fee is paid.  Revenues from the surcharge must be deposited in the agricultural local fund and may be used solely to support research projects which are of general benefit to the horticultural nursery industry and recommended by the nursery advisory committee.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  July 1, 1992