SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1432

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

   Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, March 31, 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 & Rural Economic Development:  3/31/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Gardner, Honeyford, Morton, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  The Washington State Dairy Products Commission has authority to conduct scientific research to improve the production, processing and distribution of milk.  The commission is authorized to engage in the advertisement of milk products.

The Dairy Products Commission is funded through an assessment on milk.  The commission is composed of ten members including seven elected dairy producers, one dealer and one producer-dealer appointed by the Director of Agriculture, and the Director of Agriculture who is a nonvoting ex-officio member.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Dairy Products Commission is authorized to participate in federal and state agency hearings, meetings, and other proceedings relating to the production, manufacture, distribution, sale or use of dairy products, to provide educational meetings and seminars for the dairy industry, and to expend commission funds for such activities.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  It is clarified that the Dairy Products Commission may participate in meetings on regulatory activities instead of participating in the regulatory activity itself.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The increasing complexity of regulations affecting the dairy industry is creating a need for educational seminars and participation in meetings on regulatory activities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Stensen, prime sponsor; Chris Cheney, WA Dairy Federation.