FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 6582

                           C 67 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Applying grades and standards only to apples packed in Washington state.

SPONSORS: Senators M. Rasmussen, Newhouse, Loveland and Moore

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Agriculture establishes, by rule, grades and standards for apples.  The department has established standards such as Washington Extra Fancy, which have become known to buyers on a national basis.

Apples grown and being packed in other states have begun to be labeled as "Washington Extra Fancy".

SUMMARY:

The grades and standards shall be applied to and used on those containers of apples packed within the state of Washington.

It is a violation of state law to sell apples in containers marked with Washington State grade designations unless the containers were packed in Washington.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    45   0

House     95   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994