SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2923
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 Senate Committee On:
Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, February 21, 2008
Title: An act relating to providing an alternative method for weight tickets for transporting hay or straw.
Brief Description: Providing an alternative method for weight tickets for transporting hay or straw.
Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Warnick, Blake, Chandler, Hailey, Schmick, Kretz, Williams, Eickmeyer, Condotta, McCune, VanDeWege and Newhouse.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/08, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 2/21/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Morton and Shin.
Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)
Background: Every dealer and commission merchant dealing in hay or straw is required to obtain a certified vehicle tare weight and a certified vehicle gross weight for each load hauled and must furnish the consignor with a copy of the certified weight ticket within 72 hours after taking delivery. It is a statutory violation for any licensee to transport hay or straw purchased by weight without the licensee having obtained a certified weight ticket from the first licensed public weighmaster encountered on the ordinary route to the destination for unloading the hay or straw. A dealer is any person who is not a cash buyer and who solicits for the purposes of reselling. A commission merchant is any person who receives agricultural purchases on consignment for resale. A consignor is any producer who sells, ships, or delivers agricultural products to any dealer or commission agent. A licensee is any person or business licensed under statute, among other things, as a dealer or commission agent.
Summary of Bill: If the dealer or commission merchant and a consignor agree in advance and in writing, a certified vehicle tare weight and certified vehicle gross weight may be obtained from a hay or straw processing facility, using a scale approved by the Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill codifies what the practice has been over the last 25 years.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hinkle, prime sponsor.