H-1376.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1671
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Representatives Clements, Chandler, Grant and Mastin
Read first time 02/03/95. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
AN ACT Relating to agricultural commodity commissions; amending RCW 15.65.400, 15.26.140, and 15.26.155; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 15.65.400 and 1987 c 393 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
In every marketing agreement and order the director shall prescribe the rate of such assessment. Such assessment shall be expressed as a stated amount of money per unit or as a percentage of the receipt price at the first point of sale. Such rate may be at the full amount of, or at any lesser amount than the amount hereinabove limited. Such rate may be altered or amended from time to time, but only upon compliance with the procedural requirements of this chapter. In every such marketing agreement, order and amendment the director shall base his determination of such rate upon the volume and price of sales of affected units (or units which would have been affected units had the agreement or order been in effect) during a period which the director determines to be a representative period. The rate of assessment prescribed in any such agreement, order or amendment shall for all purposes and times be deemed to be within the limits of assessment above provided until such time as such agreement or order is amended as to such rate.
The Washington hop commission, following procedures in this chapter, may raise the rate of annual assessment of the affected unit in excess of the fiscal growth factor under RCW 43.135.055 from two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars.
The Washington mint commission, following procedures in this chapter, may adjust the rate of annual assessment on the affected unit in excess of the fiscal growth factor under RCW 43.135.055 from three and one-half cents to five cents.
Sec. 2. RCW 15.26.140 and 1969 c 129 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
The producers of tree fruit subject to the provisions of this chapter may subsequent to approving initial assessment increase such assessment by referendum when approved by a majority of the producers voting.
The tree fruit research commission may adjust the assessment on cherries in excess of the fiscal growth factor under RCW 43.135.055 to four dollars per ton.
Sec. 3. RCW 15.26.155 and 1991 c 257 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
The producers of tree fruit subject to the provisions of this chapter may at any time, by referendum conducted by the department and approved by a majority of the producers voting, establish an additional assessment for programs including but not limited to sanitation programs and the reregistration of plant protection products for use on minor crops. The members of the commission may, subject to approval by two-thirds of the voting members of the commission, suspend all or part of the assessments on tree fruit under this section.
The commission may adjust the assessment on all tree fruits in excess of the fiscal growth factor under RCW 43.135.055 to eight cents per ton.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.
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