SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2089

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Agriculture & Environment, April 3, 1997

Title:  An act relating to identification of livestock.

Brief Description:  Identifying livestock.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Environment:  4/1/97, 4/3/97 [DPA, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Swecker, Vice Chair; Fraser, McAuliffe, Oke and Rasmussen.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; and Newhouse.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

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, and 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, 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, 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.

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, 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, 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, the fee is set by statute at 12 cents per head.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The fee for inspecting cattle at mandatory inspection points is not reduced to 60 cents per head in July.  It is set at 75 cents per head until February 1, 1998.  It is then reduced to 60 cents.  Similarly, the fee for inspecting horses at mandatory inspection points is set at $3 per head and is reduced to $2.40 February 1, 1998.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  All of the original bill establishing a livestock identification board and new program is eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 26, 1997.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1997.

Testimony For:  This bill would allow the industry to set up and administer the livestock program with an independent board of affected cattle interests.

Testimony Against:  There is very substantial opposition to this proposal by the dairy cattle industry.

Testified:  CON:  Dwain Forester, dairy man; Mary Beth Lang, Department of Agriculture; Randy Parr, WA Federation of State Employees; Robby Stern, WA State Labor Council; Chris Cheney, WA State Dairy Federation; PRO:  Robert Dickey, Neil Kayser, WA Cattlemens Association; Bruce Cameron, cattle rancher; Rick VandeGraaf, Jim Miles, Paul Weaver, WA State Cattle Feeders Association; Art Stoltman, Livestock Marketing Association; Eddie Armstrong, WA State Horse Council.