SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5347

                As Passed Senate, March 4, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the fruit and vegetable district fund.

Brief Description:  Extending the period of time to expend funds from the fruit and vegetable district fund.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Honeyford, Prentice and Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  2/3/99, 2/8/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/4/99, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  David Johnson (786-7754)

Background:  In 1997 $200,000 was authorized for control of the apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella).  This authorization was in response to the discovery of apple maggots in eastern Washington.  Only about $5,000 of this authorization has been spent to date.  The authorization will expire June 30, 1999 if it is not extended.

Summary of Bill:  The authorization of $200,000 for the control of the apple maggot in some parts of eastern Washington is continued until June 30, 2001.  Titles which have changed since the prior bill was enacted are updated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 22, 1999.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on June 30, 1999.

Testimony For:  It will be important to have this money available if apple maggots are found.  Money comes from the growers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dick Ducharme, Yakima Growers and Shippers Assn. (pro); Mary Beth Lang, WA State Department of Agriculture (pro).