Brief Description: Increasing the apple commission from thirteen to fifteen members.

Sponsors: Representatives Chandler, Linville, Holmquist, Eickmeyer, Schoesler and Grant.

Hearing Date: 2/25/03

Staff: Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

The state's Apple Commission is composed of 14 voting members, nine apple producers and four apple dealers. The producers are elected from three grower districts and the dealers are elected from two dealer districts. Grower District No. 1 includes Chelan, Okanogan, and Douglas counties; Grower District No. 2 includes Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties; and Grower District No. 3 includes all other counties.

The Commission's laws allow some cross-over of producer/dealer activities in the eligibility of a producer to be a member. A producer member of the Commission may:

      •    own and operate an apple warehouse and pack and store apples grown by others as long as a substantial quantity of the apples handled in the warehouse are grown by the producer member; and

      •    sell apples grown by the producer member and others so long as the producer member does not sell a larger quantity of apples grown by others than those grown by himself or herself.

Summary of Bill:

The number of producer members of the Apple Commission is increased by two (to eleven). One of the additional members is assigned to District No. 2 and one is assigned to District No. 3. Of the two members now from District No. 3, at least one must be engaged in growing and producing apples in Grant County.

A provision of the Apple Commission's laws is repealed that allows, under certain limitations, a person to be a producer member of the Commission if the person owns and operates an apple warehouse, packs and stores apples grown by others, or sells apples grown by others.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.