SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2645

             AS PASSSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 26, 1994

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators M. Rasmussen, Chairman; Bauer, Morton, Newhouse and Snyder.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: February 21, 1994

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.  Education scholarships and grants are not clearly authorized.

SUMMARY:

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.

SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENT:

The scholarships will be available to children of all persons working in the apple industry.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The program needs to have clear legislative authorization to collect and spend funds.  It does not affect the other funding sources of the Apple Commission.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Halstrom, State Horticultural Association (pro)