HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2645

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Agriculture & Rural Development

Title:  An act relating to the apple advertising commission. 

Brief Description:  Giving the apple advertising commission authority to accept gifts, grants, and other donations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Rayburn, Chandler, Grant, Ballard, Schoesler, H. Myers, Foreman, Lisk and Roland.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Agriculture & Rural Development, January 26, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Schoesler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chappell; Karahalios; Lisk; McMorris and Roland.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  The Apple Advertising Commission is directed by state law to provide a comprehensive research, advertising, and educational campaign for apples.  It is expressly authorized to expend funds for commodity-related education, training, and leadership programs. 

Summary of Bill:  The Apple Advertising Commission is authorized to accept gifts and other conveyances of real or personal property; to expend the monies derived from the conveyances; and to engage in appropriate fund-raising activities to support the activities of the commission.  Expenditures of monies derived from these gifts and conveyances may include those for providing academic scholarships to children of persons who are employees working in the apple industry.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The commission is the appropriate forum for the apple industry to participate in industry issues beyond promotional activities, such as employee/employer relations. 

Testimony Against:  None. 

Witnesses:  Frank DeLong, Washington Horticulture Association (in favor).