VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6161-S

                   April 1, 1998

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 8, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6161 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to dairy nutrient management;"

     SSB 6161 makes significant changes in the operation and regulation of dairies in the state of Washington.  This bill will be of great benefit to our water quality and the public's health.  I commend the dairy industry for its strong support of this bill.

     Section 8 of SSB 6161 would create a Dairy Nutrient Management Program Advisory and Oversight Committee, consisting of governmental and non-governmental members.  That committee would provide "direction to and oversight of" the dairy nutrient management program.  Clearly, the state can benefit from the advice and counsel of those who will be most affected by this bill.  However, the dairy inspection program is a governmental program and must be carried out by the Department of Ecology, the responsible governmental entity.  It is inappropriate to give directive and oversight responsibilities to a non-governmental body.  In addition, the portion of section 8 that provides for compensation of committee members contains drafting errors and is defective.

     Very clearly, the advisory functions spelled out in section 8 are beneficial to the effective operation of the program.  With this message, I am directing the Department of Ecology to establish such a committee to perform the advisory functions provided for in section 8(5).

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 8 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 6161.

     With the exception of section 8, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6161 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                    Gary Locke

                   Governor