ANALYSIS OF HB 2097

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                              February 25, 1999

  Changes annual fertilizer registrations to biennial registrations and adjusts the registration fee accordingly.

BACKGROUND:

No person may distribute a commercial fertilizer in this state unless the fertilizer is registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).  The registration fee is $25.   Registrations expire on June 30^th annually.  Bulk fertilizers do not have to be registered if all of the fertilizer products in them are registered.  (RCW 15.54.325 and 15.54.330)  However, those who distribute bulk fertilizer must be licensed by the WSDA.  (RCW 15.54.275.)

SUMMARY:

 Commercial fertilizers must now be registered biennially (rather than annually).  The registration fee is $50 (rather than $25); it expires on June 30^th of the second year following registration.

Prepared by the House Agriculture and Ecology Committee

by Ken Hirst (786-7105)

Office of Program Research