SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5262

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 18, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying composition of the beef commission.

SPONSORS: Senators M. Rasmussen and Barr

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5262 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators M. Rasmussen, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Barr, Bauer, Newhouse, and Snyder.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1993; February 18, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Beef Commission receives 50 cents of the $1 assessment that is collected on the sale of cattle in the state.  The money is expended by the Washington Beef Commission for beef promotional programs, research into more efficient beef production methods, feed transportation studies and beef labeling programs.

The commission is currently composed of ten voting members including three beef cattle producers, two dairy cattle producers, three feeders, one livestock saleyard operator, and one meat packer.

SUMMARY:

A third dairy cattle producer is added to the commission bringing the number of voting members to eleven.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The number of members of the Beef Commission is reduced to five, one person to represent each of the five segments of the industry.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

There is a need for more equal representation on the Beef Commission due to the increased number of dairy animals.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Adding an eleventh member would add to the administrative costs of the commission.

TESTIFIED:  Dan Coyne, Dairy Federation (pro); Ken A. Davis, Washington Cattlemen's Association; Diek Van de Graaf, Washington Cattle Feeders Association