Brief Description: Concerning the fruit and vegetable district fund.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen and Schoesler).

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade

Background: The Department of Agriculture inspects fruits and vegetables and collects inspection fees. The fees are placed into a fruit and vegetable district fund for use in the region that the inspections are performed.

In 1997, legislation was first enacted that authorized a transfer of $200,000 in District Number Two funds derived from fees collected from the inspection of tree fruits to the Plant Pest Account for activities related to apple maggot control. Funds from this transfer that are unexpended by June 30, 2005, are to be returned to the district fund.

Summary: The date by which monies transferred from the fund of District Number Two must be expended from the Plant Pest Account for apple maggot control activities or be returned to the district fund is extended by four years to June 30, 2009.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      94   0

Effective: July 24, 2005