Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
SB 6079
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: Extending the dairy inspection program assessment expiration date.
Sponsors: Senators Hatfield and Honeyford; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/21/14
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7291) and Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
"Grade A" Interstate Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.
The assessment levied on milk processors supports an inspection program to maintain compliance with the "Grade A" Interstate Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) published by the United States Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. The PMO is the national standard for milk sanitation, and it requires milk processing plants to be inspected at least once every three months. Complying with the PMO allows milk to move without restriction in interstate commerce.
Milk Processing Assessment.
Assessments are levied on the first milk processing plant that receives milk for processing. The assessment is paid to a dairy inspection account under the Agricultural Local Fund, and the funds are used for dairy inspection services under the Washington State Department of Agriculture's food safety program. The assessment is 53.5 hundredths of 1 cent per hundredweight.
Summary of Bill:
The expiration date for the dairy inspection program assessment is extended from June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2020.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.