HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5015
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: Senators Honeyford and Ericksen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/12/15, 3/17/15 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Buys, Ranking Minority Member; Dent, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hurst, Kretz, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Schmick, Stanford and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Dunshee.
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 $.0054 per hundredweight.
The assessment expires on June 30, 2015.
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Summary of Bill:
The expiration date for the dairy inspection program assessment is extended from June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2020.
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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) Both the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the commercial dairy industry requested this bill. The bill would extend the current dairy assessment, which is set to expire; typically this assessment is extended every five years. About 40 percent of milk produced in the state is exported. Accordingly, funding the WSDA's inspection program, which assures that milk complies with the federal standards and can move freely in interstate commerce, is important.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor; Kirk Robinson, Washington State Department of Agriculture; and Dan Coyne, Northwest Dairy Association and Darigold.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.