Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

SSB 5350

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 Summary of Substitute Bill

Expands the coverage provided under a special permit issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to slaughter, prepare, and sell 1,000 or fewer chickens in a calendar year directly to the ultimate consumer at the producer's farm to include all poultry.
Provides that a special permit will expire on December 31 of the year it was issued.
Directs the WSDA to adopt requirements for special permits based on the Department of Health's temporary food service establishment requirements, but tailor them specifically to the slaughter, preparation, and sale of poultry.

Background:

Special Temporary Permits for Slaughtering Pastured Chickens.

Currently, an agricultural producer of pastured chickens (Producer) is required to obtain a special, temporary permit (Special Permit) from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to slaughter and prepare 1,000 or fewer chickens in a calendar year in order to sell the whole, raw chickens directly to the ultimate consumer at the producer's farm [RCW 69.07.103(1)]. The Producer is exempt from other licensing requirements if he or she has a Special Permit [RCW 69.07.103(1)].

As directed by law, the WSDA developed requirements for Special Permits for slaughtering pastured chickens generally patterned after the Department of Health's (DOH) temporary food service establishment requirements [RCW 69.07.103(2)(a)]. These requirements concern a number of activities related to slaughtering pastured chickens, such as when a Special Permit is necessary and how to obtain one, as well as applicable cooling procedures, sanitary facilities, equipment, hygienic practices, waste, and wastewater disposal [Chapter 16-170 WAC]. Special Permits cost $75 and are valid for the calendar year in which the permit was issued. The WSDA has the authority to conduct inspections as are reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Special Permit [RCW 69.07.103(3)].

Chicken vs. Poultry.

In the context of the requirements for a Special Permit for slaughtering pastured chickens, "chicken" means the species Gallus domesticus. "Poultry," on the other hand, is not defined in statute but is defined in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat.

Summary of Bill:

The coverage provided under a Special Permit to slaughter, prepare, and sell 1,000 or fewer chickens in a calendar year directly to the ultimate consumer at the Producer's farm is expanded to include all poultry.

The WSDA is required to develop requirements for the Special Permit, which must be generally patterned after the DOH's temporary food service establishment requirements but specifically tailored to the slaughter, preparation, and sale of poultry. A Special Permit expires on December 31 of the year it is issued.