HB 1835-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Creates a commodity commission to be known and designated as the Washington forest products commission.

     Directs the commission to create, provide for, and conduct a research, promotional, and educational campaign as sales and market conditions reasonably require.  It shall investigate and ascertain the needs of producers, conditions of markets, and degree of public awareness of products, and take into account the information obtained in the discharge of its duties under this act.

     Directs the commission to cause a list to be prepared of all Washington producers of forest products from any information available from the commission, producers' association, or producers, including tax records from the department of revenue.  This list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons who produce forest products within this state and the amount of forest products produced during the period designated by the commission.  A qualified person may, at any time, have his or her name placed upon the list by delivering or mailing the information to the commission.

     Requires that, to provide for permanent funding of the forest products commission, an assessment shall be levied by the commission on producers of each species of forest products.  The initial rate of assessment that shall be submitted for approval by referendum pursuant to this act is fifty-seven cents per thousand board feet.  The initial assessment is not effective until approved by a majority of producers as required by this act.

     Declares that the forest products commission, created pursuant to this act, constitutes a state agency for purposes of applying the exemption contained in RCW 82.32.330(3)(f) for the disclosure of taxpayer information by the department.