SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5197

As Passed Senate, March 16, 2003

Title: An act relating to moving a web site address from statute to rule.

Brief Description: Moving a web site address from statute to rule.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Sheahan and Brandland; by request of Department of Agriculture.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Agriculture: 2/4/03, 2/11/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/16/03, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Swecker, Chair; Brandland, Vice Chair; Jacobsen, Rasmussen and Sheahan.

Staff: Evan Sheffels (786-7486)

Background: Washington's fertilizer law, Chapter 15.54 RCW, requires that all fertilizer labels have a statement directing purchasers to a specific website, maintained by either the Washington State Department of Agriculture or the company registering the fertilizer. Purchasers can find information about a particular fertilizer's composition and metal content at these web sites.

Summary of Bill: The requirement that commercial fertilizer products be labeled with specific internet address information is removed from the fertilizer statute. Commercial fertilizer product labels are to include a statement, to be established by departmental rule, indicating the department's uniform resource locator (internet address). This web site will provide data regarding metals content in the fertilizer. A January 1, 2004 effective date is provided. This date coincides with the beginning of the next fertilizer registration period.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except Section 1, which takes effect January 1, 2004.

Testimony For: This proposal will allow the department to update its uniform resource locator (URL) by rule. The web site reference in current statute will be outdated within a year. Information currently available to purchasers will still be available. This bill simply adds flexibility.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Leslie Emerick, Ted Maxwell, WSDA (pro).