Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 1681
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. |
Brief Description: Regarding the fruit and vegetable district fund.
Sponsors: Representatives Newhouse, Chandler, Upthegrove, Johnson and Ross.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/5/09
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117)
Background:
Fruit and Vegetable District Funds
The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Account (Inspection Account) houses all fees collected by the director of the Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to recover the costs of inspections or certifications of fruits and vegetables. Funds in the Inspection Account are to be used for the WSDA's fruit and vegetable inspection program [RCW 15.17.240].
Washington is divided into two fruit and vegetable inspection districts [WAC 16-390-010]. Each district has an individual district fund within the larger Inspection Account [RCW 15.17.240]. If the district fund contains a certain amount of money, the inspection fees for that district are reduced.
Plant Pest Account
The Plant Pest Account (Pest Account) is used by the WSDA as a receptacle for any fees collected for special inspections, plant diagnostic services, pest control activities, or special certifications requested by growers, farmers, or other interested parties [RCW 17.24.131]. These services may be requested of the WSDA to facilitate the movement or sale of various agricultural products, including forest products, floricultural products, and horticultural products.
Rhagoletis pomonella control
Rhagoletis pomonella, commonly referred to as the apple maggot, but also known as the railroad worm, is a native insect to North America. It is considered to be a pest of several fruits, including apples.
In 1997, a set amount of the tree fruit inspection fees collected in one of the fruit and vegetable inspection districts was transferred from the Inspection Account to the Pest Account. The transfer was for $200,000 and was required to be used for the control of Rhagoletis pomonella within the district.
If any amount of the $200,000 is still available as of June 30, 2009, that amount must be transferred to back to the Inspection Account and credited to the fruit and vegetable inspection district which contains Yakima County.
Summary of Bill:
An additional transfer of $150,000 from the Inspection Account to the Pest Account is authorized by July 1, 2009. Like the 1997 transfer, the funds involved in this transfer must originate from tree fruit inspection fees collected in one of the fruit and vegetable inspection districts, and the funds must be used for the control of Rhagoletis pomonella within the district. The fruit and vegetable inspection district affected by the transfer includes Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, Yakima, Pacific, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Asotin, Whitman, and Garfield counties.
If any amount of the $150,000 is still available as of June 30, 2013, that amount must be transferred to back to the Inspection Account and credited to the fruit and vegetable inspection district which contains Yakima County.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.