HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2568
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 dairy products commission.
Brief Description: Modifying provisions relating to the dairy products commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Newhouse and Chase.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/24/08, 1/28/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Van De Wege, Vice Chair; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eickmeyer, Grant, Lantz, Loomis, McCoy, Nelson and Newhouse.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Orcutt.
Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).
Background:
The Washington Dairy Products Commission (Commission) was created by the Washington
Legislature in 1939 under statute. The Commission is directed by a board of 10
commissioners comprised of seven dairy producers, one producer-dealer, one processor
representative, and one representative of the Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA). The Director (Director) of the WSDA appoints commissioners and oversees the
Commission budgetary expenditures.
Summary of Bill:
The Commission shall be composed of nine members, and removes the requirement that one
commissioner be a producer-dealer. When only one candidate is nominated for a position,
the Director has the discretion to appoint or reject the candidate. Vacancies will be filled by
appointment by the Director from a list of candidates proposed by the Commission. When
only one candidate is proposed, the Director may appoint or reject the candidate and request
an additional candidate from the Commission.
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 makes technical and practical changes. The Commission has had
difficulty in finding someone to fill the position of the producer-dealer on the Commission,
leaving that position vacant for at least a year. With the way the industry has changed, there
are just not enough people in that role to be able to consistently fill that position.
Additionally, it has been difficult for the Commission to remove a member for
nonattendance. Chronic nonattendance by certain commissioners can prevent the
Commission from being able to achieve a quorum and actually take action on necessary
business. This bill remedies that issue. Additionally, in some districts it is difficult to get
more than one candidate for a position. This changes the nomination requirements to allow
for such situations and also makes it clear that when the Director is presented with only one
name, he or she may still reject that name and request another.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Chris Cheney, Washington Dairy Farmers Federation; and Stephen Matzen and Liz Anderson, Washington Dairy Products Commission.