HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1305
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to the regulation of food lockers.
Brief Description: Repealing the statutes regulating food lockers.
Sponsors: Representatives Kretz, Warnick, Hailey, McCoy, Newhouse and Haler; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/1/07, 2/5/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).
Background:
Refrigerated food storage lockers are facilities that offer to the public, for rent or other
compensation, separate compartments for the cold storage and preservation of human food.
Since 1943, operators of refrigerated food storage lockers have been licensed and regulated
by the state. A facility seeking a license must be inspected by the Department of Agriculture
(Department) and, if approved, the Department of Licensing will then issue the facility a
refrigerated locker license for a $10 fee. Licenses are renewed annually for $10 and the
proceeds are deposited in the State General Fund. People who work in these facilities must
have a health certificate from an accredited physician. The Department conducts a periodic
inspection of each licensed establishment and the Department's director has the authority to
suspend or revoke licenses for unsanitary or improper operation.
According to the Department, in prior years, one or more refrigerated locker facilities
operated in every city, and licenses were issued to several hundred facilities. However, as of
July 2006, there were 14 refrigerated locker licensees in the state. Half of these were also
licensed and therefore inspected by the Department as food storage warehouses, custom meat
facilities, or food processors.
Summary of Bill:
The statutes that require separate licensing and regulation of refrigerated food storage lockers
are repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) There are only 14 refrigerated food storage lockers operating at this time. Other
rules and requirements are in place that provide adequate oversight over these same facilities.
For example, half of them hold other types of licenses through the Department of Agriculture.
It is time to take an outdated statute off the books. Owners of refrigerated food storage locker
facilities and public agencies affected by repealing these statutes have been contacted and
have expressed no problems with their removal.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Mary Beth Lang and Claudia Coles, Department of Agriculture.