SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5353

                As Passed Senate, March 5, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the dairy products commission.

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

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Morton, Swecker and Gardner.

Brief History:

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

Passed Senate, 3/5/99, 45-0.

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:  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 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Dairy Products Commission has funded milk promotion and production research activities for a number of years.  As regulatory programs are becoming more complicated, authority is needed for the Dairy Products Commission to provide educational sessions for producers to understand regulatory programs and to participate in federal and state agency  hearings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Steve Matzen, Liz Anderson, Washington Dairy Products Commission.