SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6582

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994

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

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1994

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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Apple producers in Washington are investing significant monies to promote Washington apples.  Other states are trying to capitalize on the reputation that Washington apples have established.  It is deceptive to label boxes with the Washington Extra Fancy grade if the box was packed in another state.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Frank DeLong, Jim Clements, Apple Commission (pro)