SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6229
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, January 14, 2010
Title: An act relating to the dairy inspection program.
Brief Description: Extending to 2015 the assessment levied under RCW 15.36.551 to support the dairy inspection program.
Sponsors: Senators Schoesler and Ranker; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 1/14/10 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hatfield, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Haugen, Jacobsen, Morton and Shin.
Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)
Background: To ship fluid milk and milk products across state lines, Washington Department of Agriculture administers a milk inspection program in accordance with standards established by the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS). A milk assessment fee is assessed to support the dairy inspection program, and to maintain compliance with the provisions of the NCIMS and the Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.
The current authority to collect the milk assessment expires on June 30, 2010.
Summary of Bill: The current authority to assess milk processed in the state is extended until June 30, 2015. The current maximum assessment level of fifty-four one-hundredths of one cent per hundred weight is retained.
The funds will continue to be deposited in the dairy inspection account within the agricultural local fund. The funds will continue to be used only to provide inspection services to the dairy industry.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: None.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill extends the current fee that helps support the milk inspection program. This fee was originally established in 1995 for a five-year period and has been extended each five-year period since. Each time the fee is proposed to be extended, the agency and the industry review the performance of the program. Passage of the bill is necessary not only to assure the quality of milk sold in the state, but to assure that standards are met that allows for the interstate shipment of milk and milk products.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Jeff Canaan, Claudia Coles, Department of Agriculture; Antone Mickelson, Darigold; Jay Gordon, Washington State Dairy Federation.