SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6720

              As Passed Senate, February 8, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the Washington state beef commission.

Brief Description:  Modifying the Washington state beef commission.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Stevens, Honeyford, Swecker, Loveland and Snyder).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  1/31/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/8/2000, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6720 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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 Beef Commission is authorized to conduct programs to increase the consumption of beef and develop more efficient methods of production.  At the national level, there is a national beef promotion and research program whose primary purpose is to increase demand for beef.  These programs are funded from a $1 per head assessment collected by the Washington State Beef Commission.  The assessment is authorized by state statute.

Summary of Bill:  The assessment on Washington cattle sold in this state is increased from the current $1 per head to $1.50 per head.

The commission may add an additional nonvoting member to the board to act in an advisory capacity.  Deleted is the requirement that the commission prepare an annual report.  The prohibition from using the sales promotion program to advertise a particular brand or trademark is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  Since 1986, the $1 per head assessment on beef has lost 33 percent of its purchasing power.  A major focus of the Beef Commission is to provide food safety education and has provided thermometers to consumers with instructions as to proper cooking temperatures for beef.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Casey Lankhaar, WA State Beef Commission; Steve Hailey, beef producer; Neil Kayser, WCA; Bruce Cameron, WSBC, WCA; Bruce Nelson, WAWC.

House Amendment(s):  The amount of the assessment on cattle is not changed from the Senate version.  The House amendment authorizes the State Beef Commission to assess an additional 50 cent per head fee on cattle that are subject to the federal beef program.