Z-0634.3  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5799

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators Deccio, Rasmussen, Newhouse and Loveland

Read first time 02/12/97.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Environment.

Transferring funds for plant pest control activities.

    AN ACT Relating to the transfer of funds to provide for plant pest control activities; amending RCW 17.24.131; adding a new section to chapter 15.17 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 15.17 RCW to read as follows:

    The inspector-at-large for district two as defined in WAC 16‑458‑075 is authorized to transfer two hundred thousand dollars from the horticultural district fund to the plant pest account within the agricultural local fund.  The amount transferred is to be derived from  fees collected for state inspections of tree fruits and is to be used solely for activities related to the control of Rhagoletis pomonella  in district two.  The transfer of funds shall occur by June 1, 1997.  On June 30, 1999, any unexpended portion of the two hundred thousand dollars shall be returned to the horticultural district fund.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 17.24.131 and 1991 c 257 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

    To facilitate the movement or sale of forest, agricultural, floricultural, horticultural and related products, or bees and related products, the director may provide, if requested by farmers, growers, or other interested persons, special inspections, pest identifications, plant identifications, plant diagnostic services, other special certifications and activities not otherwise authorized by statute and ((to)) prescribe a fee for that service.  The fee shall, as closely as practical, cover the cost of the service rendered, including the salaries and expenses of the personnel involved.  Moneys collected shall be deposited in the plant pest account, which is hereby created within the agricultural local fund.  No appropriation is required for disbursement from the plant pest account to provide the services authorized by this section.  In lieu of a fee, assessments and other funds deposited in the plant pest account may be disbursed to provide the services authorized by this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  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 takes effect immediately.

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