S-0745.1/91 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5198
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Senators Barr, Gaspard, Madsen, Amondson, Nelson, Metcalf, Bailey, Hansen, Conner, Wojahn, Snyder and Rasmussen.
Read first time January 23, 1991. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Water Resources.
AN ACT Relating to aquatic animal health; adding a new chapter to Title 15 RCW; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature has recognized that aquaculture is a branch of the agriculture industry; farmed fish and shellfish are among the top fifteen agricultural commodities in Washington state with an annual production value of forty-two million dollars; there is an increased demand world-wide for fish and fish products; and Washington state aquatic animal producers play a significant role in the world market for aquacultural products and in the economy of the state.
The legislature further recognizes that confined public and private farmed fish and shellfish are substantially vulnerable and sensitive to the risk of diseases. To ensure the highest levels of production, for both the public and private sectors, identification and treatment of these diseases is imperative. There are insufficient diagnostic, certification, and extension services available to Washington's aquatic animal industry; and there is no complete training program provided at any Washington state institution of higher education to educate professionals in the areas of aquatic animal health, diagnostics, and certification.
Therefore, the legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the state to develop aquatic animal diagnostic and extension services and curricula within the state, and to provide state veterinarian certification for aquatic animal products, as is currently done for the livestock industry. It is the intent of the legislature that in consultation with the aquaculture industry, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the department of agriculture cooperate in the development of such services and curricula.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of agriculture shall contract with Washington State University to establish and operate an aquatic animal health diagnostic and extension laboratory and certification service at the Washington State University research and extension center at Puyallup.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Washington State University, in cooperation with the University of Washington, shall establish a training program in the field of aquatic animal health and disease.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 15 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The sum of six hundred seventy-three thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of agriculture to carry out the purposes of section 2 of this act. Of this amount (a) five hundred twenty-three thousand dollars is provided solely for staffing and operating the diagnostic and extension laboratory established under section 2 of this act; and (b) one hundred fifty thousand dollars is provided solely for any remodeling of the Washington State University research and extension center at Puyallup and the purchase of start-up equipment necessary to carry out the purpose of section 2 of this act.
(2) The sum of fifty-four thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the Washington State University to carry out the purposes of section 3 of this act.
(3) No amounts appropriated under this section may be expended until at least twenty-seven thousand dollars or in-kind contributions of services, facilities, or materials from nonstate sources has been contributed for the purposes of section 3 of this act.