FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6096

PARTIAL VETO

                          C 143 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Making major changes to milk and milk products regulations.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senators M. Rasmussen, Anderson, Newhouse, Snyder, Morton, Bauer and Quigley)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture regulates the production of milk and milk products in the state to protect consumers.  Dairies and dairy products are regulated under Chapter 15.32 RCW and fluid milk is regulated under Chapter 15.36 RCW.  These chapters are very similar in construction and each has a number of provisions which are outdated or which have been superseded by federal law.

The Public Health Service (PHS)/Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended pasteurized milk ordinance (PMO) is the basic standard used in the voluntary cooperative state-PHS program for certification of interstate milk shippers, a program participated in by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and United States trust territories.  The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding with the FDA, has recommended changes and modifications to the PMO.  The PMO is incorporated by reference in federal specifications for procurement of milk and milk products; is used as the sanitary regulation for milk and milk products served on interstate carriers; and is recognized by the public health agencies, the milk industry, and many others as a national standard for milk sanitation.

The PMO is intended to accomplish two things:  (1) provide a nationwide system of protection and public health standards transcending state lines; and (2) provide a baseline for industry that must be met to engage in interstate commerce.

SUMMARY:

Redundant definitions, confusing language requirements and unnecessary standards which contradict the pasteurized milk ordinance (PMO) are removed.  Enforcement of the PMO or more strict standards is a requirement for interstate shipment of grade A milk and grade A milk products. 

There will be a uniform milk processor's license, and licensees are exempt from dual licensing as food processing plants.  A uniform procedure is established to protect the public health through license suspension.  Uniform enforcement of requirements to protect the public health and a uniform appeal procedure are established.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     95   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994

Partial Veto Summary:  The veto corrected a technical error in the repealer section.