Brief Description: Concerning standards and grades for fruits and vegetables.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, Mulliken and Rasmussen).

Hearing Date: 2/25/04

Staff: Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

Under the state's laws for agricultural grades and packs, the Director of Agriculture is required to adopt rules establishing standards for apples, apricots, Italian prunes, peaches, sweet cherries, pears, potatoes, and asparagus. The Director must also require these commodities, except potatoes, to be inspected. The Director may adopt rules establishing standards for and/or requiring the inspection of any other fruit or vegetable. (RCW 15.17.050.)

Summary of Bill:

Until 2006, the requirement that the Director establish standards for asparagus does not apply to asparagus shipped out-of-state for fresh packing.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.