SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5443
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 18, 1993
Brief Description: Modifying the regulation of livestock.
SPONSORS: Senators M. Rasmussen, Barr and Loveland; by request of Department of Agriculture
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5443 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: John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)
Hearing Dates: February 9, 1993; February 18, 1993
BACKGROUND:
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is charged with a number of varied regulatory programs including the regulation of public livestock markets and brand inspections.
Public livestock markets now pay the department a statutorily set fee ranging from $100 for a market with gross sales volume of up to $10,000, $200 for a market with a volume of over $10,000 and up to $50,000, and $300 for a volume over $50,000. Additionally, there is a fee of $60 per day for brand inspection at public livestock markets.
To operate a certified feedlot in Washington the owner must have a current license issued by the Department of Agriculture. The current fee is set at $500. Also, feedlots must pay a fee of 10 cents per head of cattle handled in the feedlot.
The brand inspection program for the state is funded by fees which are also set by statute. The fee to register a brand is $25 and renewal is $25 for a two-year period. A copy may be obtained by the owner of the brand for $5. The fee to record a title transfer for livestock brands is $10. The inspection fee for cattle and horses is set at a range of from 30 to 50 cents per head.
SUMMARY:
The licensing fees for public livestock markets are increased to a range of: $100 to $150 for markets with a gross sales volume of up to $10,000, $200 to $350 for markets with a volume of over $10,000 and up to $50,000, and $300 to $450 for a volume over $50,000. Additionally, the fee for brand inspection at public livestock markets is set by rule.
The fee to operate a certified feedlot is set by rule within the range of $500 to $750. Also, feedlots must pay a fee of from 10 to 15 cents per head of cattle handled in the feedlot, as determined by rule.
The renewal fee for brands is set by rule at no less than $25, and a late filing fee may be charged. A certified copy of the brand may be obtained by the owner of the brand for a fee set by rule at not more than $7.50. The fee to record a title transfer for livestock brands is also set by rule at not more than $15. The inspection fee for cattle and horses is increased to a range of from 50 to 75 cents per head for cattle, and from $2 to $3 per head for horses, to be determined by rule.
An advisory board for the livestock identification program is created within the Department of Agriculture and consists of six members, one each representing the Washington Cattlemen's Association, Washington Livestock Marketing Association, Washington State Horse Council, Washington State Dairy Federation, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, and Northwest Meat Processors Association. The board provides the director with recommendations for changes to the fees for the livestock identification program of the state including licensing of public livestock markets, brand recording, brand inspection, and assessments paid by certified feedlots.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
Technical changes are made.
The board and the Director of Agriculture are to mutually cooperate in considering fee increases.
Board members are to be elected by their organizations.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: yes
Fiscal Note: available
TESTIMONY FOR:
The bill is needed to generate sufficient revenues for the livestock identification program. Fees have not been raised for a number of years and this bill represents a consensus within the industry.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: John Frost, WSDA (pro); L.H. Pinkers, Washington State Horse Council (pro)