BILL REQ. #:  H-4848.1 

READ FIRST TIME 2/3/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to animal identification; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The director of agriculture shall convene an advisory committee composed of representatives from the various segments of the cattle industry that will be involved in the implementation of the state's component of the national animal identification program for animal health and disease trace-back purposes. The advisory committee shall be chaired by the director of agriculture or the director's appointee. In making the appointments to the advisory committee, the director shall consult with organizations that represent the affected segments of the cattle industry. The director may appoint additional members to the advisory committee as deemed necessary. The director shall appoint to the advisory committee one member from a federally recognized tribe who is in the cattle industry.
     (2) The advisory committee shall evaluate the requirements of the federal program and examine approaches being taken by other states to implement the requirements, with an emphasis on neighboring states and the states that engage in the largest amount of trade in cattle with Washington, and evaluate demonstration projects that the department shall conduct at two or more facilities that handle large numbers of animals. The advisory committee shall make a recommendation on how the federal requirements should be implemented in Washington that includes recommended funding amounts and sources. In developing a funding proposal, the advisory committee shall consult with the office of financial management.
     (3) The department shall submit a written report of the activities and recommendations of the advisory committee to the house of representatives and to the senate by December 1, 2006.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2007.