FINAL BILL REPORT
EHB 2523
C 128 L 94
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Regulating custom slaughtering and custom meat facility licenses.
By Representatives Rayburn, Schoesler, Chappell, Chandler, Foreman, Hansen, R. Meyers and Mastin; by request of Department of Agriculture.
House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development
Senate Committee on Agriculture
Background: A person engaged in the business of slaughtering animals for the owner of the animals, referred to as "custom slaughtering," or in preparing uninspected meat, referred to as "custom meat," for the consumption of the owner of the meat must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. A violation of the laws governing such custom slaughtering and custom meats is a gross misdemeanor. The director of the Department of Agriculture may suspend or revoke a license under certain circumstances.
The preparation and sale of poultry products are regulated by the Department of Agriculture under the Wholesome Poultry Products Act. A person who violates a provision of the act or rules adopted under the act is guilty of a misdemeanor. If a person commits a second violation within five years of being convicted of violating the act, the person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Summary: In addition to being able to suspend or revoke a custom slaughtering and custom meats license, the director of the Department of Agriculture may also establish conditions of probation for a designated period of time. A new civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per day of violation is established for violations of the laws governing custom slaughtering and custom meats. A new civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per day of violation is also established for violations of the Wholesome Poultry Products Act. All violations, not just repeated violations within five years, are gross misdemeanors under the Poultry Products Act.
Both a civil penalty and a criminal penalty may not be imposed for the same violation.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 94 0
Senate 48 0
Effective: June 9, 1994