CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

          ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5096

                   Chapter 280, Laws of 1991

                        52nd Legislature

                      1991 Regular Session

     DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-‑DUTY TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE

                    EFFECTIVE DATE:  7/28/91

Passed by the Senate April 28, 1991

  Yeas 35   Nays 8

           JOEL PRITCHARD          

President of the Senate

Passed by the House April 28, 1991

  Yeas 97   Nays 0

              JOE KING             

Speaker of the

       House of Representatives

Approved May 20, 1991

           BOOTH GARDNER           

Governor of the State of Washington

CERTIFICATE

I, Gordon Golob, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5096 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

           GORDON A. GOLOB            Secretary

                                     FILED         

                 May 20, 1991 - 10:56 a.m.

                        Secretary of State   

                       State of Washington

                  _______________________________________________

                   ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5096

                              AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

                  _______________________________________________

                     Passed Legislature - 1991 Regular Session

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Hansen, Anderson, Newhouse, Conner, Bailey, Matson, Patterson, Amondson, Sellar, Bauer, McMullen and L. Smith).

Read first time March 6, 1991.Requiring state laws and rules to be assessed to determine adverse impacts on agriculture.

     AN ACT Relating to the duties and responsibilities of the department of agriculture; and adding new sections to chapter 15.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 15.04 RCW to read as follows:

     The history, economy, culture, and the future of Washington state to a large degree all involve agriculture, which is vital to the economic well-being of the state.  The legislature finds that farmers and ranchers are responsible stewards of the land, but are increasingly subjected to complaints and unwarranted restrictions that encourage, and even force, the premature removal of lands from agricultural uses.

     The legislature further finds that it is now in the overriding public interest that support for agriculture be clearly expressed and that adequate protection be given to agricultural lands, uses, activities, and operations.

     The legislature further finds that the department of agriculture has a duty to promote and protect agriculture and its dependent rural community in Washington state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 15.04 RCW to read as follows:

     The department shall seek to enhance, protect, and perpetuate the ability of the private sector to produce food and fiber.  Additionally, the department shall seek to maintain the economic well-being of the agricultural industry and its dependent rural community in Washington state.

     Passed the Senate April 28, 1991.

     Passed the House April 28, 1991.

Approved by the Governor May 20, 1991.

     Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 20, 1991.