FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2089

PARTIAL VETO

                         C 356 L 97

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Identifying livestock.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by  Representatives Chandler and Honeyford).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment

Background:  The state=s livestock identification program is administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).  The program includes the registration and recording of brands, the designation of mandatory brand inspection points for cattle and horses, the inspection of cattle and horses for brands and the collection of brand inspection fees, the issuance of certificates identifying individual horses or cattle, and the registration of individual identification symbols for horses.  Until July 1, 1997, the WSDA may set the fee for inspecting cattle at a mandatory inspection point at not less than 50 cents per head and not more than 75 cents per head.  Beginning July 1, 1997, the fees are set by statute at 60 cents per head.  For inspecting horses at these points, the WSDA may set a fee of not less than $2 per head and not more than $3 per head until July 1, 1997; thereafter, the fee may be not more than $2.40 per head.

Certified Feedlots.  The WSDA also administers a licensing program for feedlots.  With certain exceptions, cattle entering or re-entering a certified feedlot must be inspected for brands.  Until July 1, 1997, the WSDA may charge a fee of not less than $500 and not more than $750 for the annual licensing of a certified feedlot.  Beginning July 1, 1997, the licensing fee is set by statute at $600.  A person operating a certified feedlot must also pay a fee for each head of cattle handled through the feedlot.  Until July 1, 1997, the WSDA may set the fee at not less than 10 cents per head and not more than 15 cents per head.  Beginning July 1, 1997.  After that date, the fee is set by statute at 12 cents per head.

Public Livestock Markets.  The WSDA administers a licensing program for public livestock markets.  The annual fee for a license to operate a public livestock market is based on the gross sales volume of the market.  Until July 1, 1997, the maximum licensing fee ranges from $150 to $450.  After that date, the fee range is set at $120 to $360.  Until July 1, 1997, the director of the WSDA may set a minimum daily inspection fee for conducting brand inspections at such a market at not more than $90.  After that date, the minimum daily fee is set at $72.

Summary:  The reduction of the following fees is postponed by one year: the fees authorized for inspecting brands at mandatory inspection points; the annual licensing fee for a certified feed lot; the fee on each head of cattle handled through a certified feed lot; the annual licensing fee for a public livestock market; and the maximum daily total  that may be charged for brand inspection at such markets.

The current advisory board for the Department of Agriculture=s livestock identification program is to provide oversight for the program.  The advisory board must receive status and financial briefings regarding the program at least once every two months.  The department must consult the advisory board before hiring or dismissing supervisory personnel.

Votes on Final Passage:

House6629

Senate481(Senate amended)

House961(House concurred)

Effective:July 1, 1997  (Sections 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10)

          July 1, 1998  (Sections 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11)

Partial Veto Summary:  The Governor vetoed the provisions of the bill regarding the advisory board.