H-3458.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2657

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Hunt, Armstrong, Linville, Schoesler, O'Brien, Holmquist, Chase, Roach, Ogden, Clements, Cox, Mulliken, Barlean, Sehlin, Conway and Rockefeller

Read first time 01/23/2002.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Requiring the purchase of Washington grown commodities for state institutions.

    AN ACT Relating to agricultural products purchased for state institutions and state-supported facilities; adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that state-produced agricultural products are of the highest quality, transported the least distance, and are the freshest agricultural products available in Washington state.  The legislature further finds that providing improved markets for the richly diversified agricultural commodities produced in Washington is needed to stabilize and enhance the rural and agricultural economies in Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

    The director of general administration, through the state purchasing and material control director, must require that, if available and competitively priced, Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products be purchased for use in state institutions and state-supported facilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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