SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1473

BYHouse Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives McLean, Doty, Rasmussen and Holm; by request of Department of Agriculture)

Revising provisions relating to food processors.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Bailey, Halsan, Hansen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

                  February 18, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 18, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Food Processing Act, with certain exceptions, requires any person who operates a food processing plant or who processes or handles foods to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture annually.  Among the establishments exempted from this requirement are those issued licenses or permits under the 1937 Bakery and Bakery Products Act or laws governing the manufacture of macaroni and macaroni products or confections.  Also exempted are restaurants and food service establishments.  The Food Processing Act establishes requirements for establishments licensed under it and authorizes the department to adopt rules and standards implementing its requirements.

Bakeries and distributors of bakery products are licensed and regulated by the department under the 1937 Bakery and Bakery Products Act.  Standards for certain bakery and macaroni products are established in other statutes.

Persons operating macaroni factories and those who distribute macaroni products or sell such products except through fixed retail stores must secure permits under the macaroni and macaroni products statutes.

A person who prepares, processes, manufactures, or distributes confection, or who sells it at other than fixed retail stores, must secure a confectioner's permit from the department under the state's confections statutes.

SUMMARY:

The 1937 Bakery and Bakery Products Act, the macaroni and macaroni products statutes, and the confections statutes are each repealed. Persons who have secured licenses or permits under the statutes which are repealed are no longer exempted from the licensure requirements of the Washington Food Processing Act.

The annual fee required for a license under the Food Processing Act is increased to $25 (from $10).  The fee for late renewals of licenses under the Act is increased to $15 (from $5).

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Mike Schwisow, Dept. of Agriculture (pro)