Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 2073
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: Concerning the beef commission.
Sponsors: Representatives Dent and Buys.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/17
Staff: Robert Hatfield (786-7117).
Background:
The Washington State Beef Commission.
The Washington State Beef Commission (Beef Commission) is a nine-member board, eight of whom are appointed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture (Director), with the Director acting as the ninth member. Each commissioner serves a three-year term. The purpose of the Beef Commission is to fund beef promotion, research, and consumer education activities supporting Washington's beef industry. The Beef Commission is funded by a $1.50 per head assessment on all cattle sold in the state. Of the $1.50, $1.00 stays in the state for local beef promotion, and $0.50 is remitted to the national Cattlemen's Beef Board.
The Beef Commission is required to prepare a budget each year that covers the anticipated income and expenses to be incurred in carrying out the Beef Commission's statutory obligations.
The Beef Commission is directed to take such steps as are necessary to carry on programs that are beneficial to the beef industry.
Summary of Bill:
The primary focus of the Washington State Beef Commission (Beef Commission) includes the following responsibilities in descending order of priority:
promotion of the beef industry in a manner that showcases the varied aspects of the industry;
research and education related to health and disease control of beef, in cooperation with specified entities;
support to the beef industry to establish marketing, grading, and standardizing of beef and beef products; and
promotion of increased consumption of beef and beef products.
The duties of the Beef Commission are modified to include:
the Beef Commission's annual budget must be detailed and explanatory;
the steps that the Beef Commission is directed to take to carry on joint programs beneficial to the beef industry is expanded to include programs that are beneficial to the health of cattle;
the Beef Commission must provide for programs designed to maintain healthy cattle throughout the industry; and
the Beef Commission must provide for research related to health and disease control of beef and beef products, including grants to research agencies.
The Beef Commission's budget must set forth the complete and detailed financial program of the Beef Commission. The budget must explain any major changes to financial policy and must describe performance indicators that demonstrate measurable progress toward the Beef Commission's priorities. The budget must be sufficiently detailed to provide transparency for the Beef Commission's actions on behalf of the beef industry.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 10, 2017.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.