HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1416
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 Passed House:
February 23, 2007
Title: An act relating to standards and grades for fruits and vegetables.
Brief Description: Extending an asparagus exception to the standards for fruits and vegetables.
Sponsors: By Representatives Grant, Chandler, Linville, Newhouse, Warnick and VanDeWege.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/1/07, 2/5/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/23/07, 93-0.
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:
The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program of the Department of Agriculture (Department)
inspects fresh and processed produce such as apples, pears, cherries, peaches, asparagus, and
potatoes. The produce is inspected according to uniform grading standards adopted by the
Department including maturity, size, soundness, shape, color, condition, and other factors
important to marketing. The produce may also be certified as free from pests and diseases in
order to meet domestic and international market requirements. The Fruit and Vegetable
Inspection Program is self-supporting through fees-for-service.
The Director of the Department must adopt rules providing uniform grading standards for
some fruits and vegetables, and may adopt rules providing uniform grading standards for
others. Asparagus is one of the vegetables for which uniform grading standards are required.
In 2004, the Legislature approved a temporary exception to these mandatory standards for
asparagus shipped out-of-state for fresh packing, and in 2005, approved a two year extension
of the exception. With no grading standards, there are no inspections in Washington. Instead
the inspections take place in the state in which the packing occurs. The current exception
expires on December 31, 2007.
Summary of Bill:
The current exception to mandatory grading standards for asparagus shipped out-of-state for
fresh packing is extended for two years and will expire on December 31, 2009.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill extends by two years the time frame in which there will be no
mandatory grading standards and therefore no Washington inspections of asparagus shipped
out-of-state to fresh packing and processing plants. Asparagus is instead inspected when it
arrives at the out-of-state plants.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Grant, prime sponsor; and Charlie Brown, Washington Asparagus Council.