FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 6731

C 211 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

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

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

Senate Committee on Agriculture

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: Currently, it is mandatory that the Department of Agriculture establish grades and standards that asparagus must meet. For several other agricultural commodities, the department has discretion to establish standards. Additional flexibility is sought to assist the asparagus industry in selling product in other states.

Summary: The requirement that rules be adopted establishing standards for asparagus does not apply to asparagus shipped out of state for fresh packing.

This provision expires on December 31, 2005.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       95  0

Effective: March 29, 2004