FINAL BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5626

                                   C 67 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to the hardwood commission.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators McMullen, Amondson and Snyder; by request of Washington Hardwoods Commission).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE

BACKGROUND:

In 1990, the Legislature authorized the creation of a Washington Hardwoods Commission to foster the growth and development of the hardwood industry in Washington.  The enabling statute for the commission is similar to the statutes of the numerous agriculture commodity commissions such as the Apple Commission.  The Legislature asked the Hardwoods Commission to prepare an industry fee assessment schedule based on businesses who process hardwood.

SUMMARY:

An assessment schedule on processors is established and is based on quarterly production by weight.  The commission may develop formulas to convert other measurements to tons of production.  The assessments will begin July 1, 1991.

Assessments made by the commission are personal debts and if a person fails to pay, the commission may add up to 10 percent of the assessment to defray costs of enforcement.  Civil action by the commission may be brought against persons who fail to pay.

The members of the Hardwoods Commission are authorized travel and expenses at the same rate allowed for state employees.  Language requiring a 1990 report to the Legislature is removed from statute.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      42    1

House 97    0

EFFECTIVE:May 3, 1991