HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1269
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 House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to extending the dairy inspection program assessment expiration date.
Brief Description: Extending the dairy inspection program assessment expiration date.
Sponsors: Representatives Buys and Van Werven.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/4/15, 2/10/15 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Buys, Ranking Minority Member; Dent, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hurst, Kretz, Orcutt, Pettigrew and Schmick.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Dunshee and Stanford.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Van De Wege.
Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).
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, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States 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 may not exceed 54 one-hundredths of 1 cent per hundredweight.
The assessment expires on June 30, 2015.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Without this assessment, milk would not be allowed to move in interstate commerce. This bill does not increase the amount of the assessment, it merely continues the existing assessment for five years. The industry stepped up to fund part of the inspection program to make sure milk can move through interstate commerce. Much milk is exported out of the state and turned into other products. Producers and the Washington State Department of Agriculture are happy with the program and want to continue it.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Buys, prime sponsor; Steve Fuller, Department of Agriculture; Dan Coyne, Northwest Dairy Association and Darigold; and Jay Gordon, Washington State Dairy Federation.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.