HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1432

                      As Passed House:

                        March 9, 1999

Title:  An act relating to powers and duties of the dairy commission.

Brief Description:  Expanding the powers and duties of the dairy commission.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stensen, G. Chandler, Linville, Koster, Cooper, Dunshee, Reardon and Wood.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  2/2/99, 2/19/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/9/99, 97-0.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Expressly expands the authority of the Dairy Products Commission to include participating in federal and state regulatory activities and expending funds and educating the dairy industry regarding these matters.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives G. Chandler, Republican Co-Chair; Linville, Democratic Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Koster, Republican Vice Chair; Anderson; B. Chandler; Delvin; Fortunato; Grant; Reardon; Schoesler; Stensen; Sump and Wood.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

The Washington State Dairy Products Commission is an agricultural commodity commission that has been created directly by statute.  Among the authorities of the commission are: conducting scientific research designed to improve milk production, quality, transportation, processing, and distribution; and developing uses and markets for dairy products and promoting their sale.

Summary of Bill:

Expressly added to the powers of the commission are the authorities:  (1) to participate in federal and state regulatory activities and expend funds for these purposes when the activities affect the production, manufacture, distribution, sale or use of dairy products; and (2) to educate the dairy industry regarding such matters.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Although the promotion of dairy products will still be the main focus of the commission, the bill allows the Dairy Products Commission also to respond to regulatory aspects of the dairy industry.  The commission wants to work with regulators, particularly in the areas of water quality and dairy nutrient management, on behalf of the industry.  Other commodity commissions already have the authorities granted by the bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In favor) Representative Stensen, prime sponsor; and Steve Matson and Rod Erickson, Washington State Dairy Products Commission.