HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5262

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Agriculture & Rural Development

Title:  An act relating to the beef commission.

Brief Description:  Modifying composition of the beef commission.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senators M. Rasmussen and Barr).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Agriculture & Rural Development, March 30, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Schoesler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chappell; Foreman; Grant; Karahalios; Lisk; and Roland.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  The Washington State Beef Commission was established to provide programs to:  increase beef consumption; develop more efficient production, processing, and marketing practices for the beef industry; identify beef products regarding quality and origin; and eliminate transportation inequities faced by the industry.  The commission is composed of the following 10 voting members:  three beef producers, two dairy (beef) producers, three feeders, one livestock saleyard operator, and one meat packer.  These members are appointed by the director of agriculture and serve three year terms of office.  A representative of the Department of Agriculture serves as a nonvoting member of the commission.

Summary of Bill:  Effective July 1, 1993, the number of members on the Beef Commission is reduced.  The number of members representing beef producers is reduced from three to one; the number representing dairy (beef) producers is reduced from two to one; and the number representing feeders is reduced from three to one.  Staggered terms of office are assigned to the members of the revised commission.  Recommendations for appointments must be made to the director by June 1 of each year.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on June 1, 1993.

Testimony For:  This is an efficiency in government bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator M. Rasmussen (in favor).