H-875                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1060

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Rayburn, Prince, Jacobsen and Nealey

Read first time 2/23/87 and referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development.

AN ACT Relating to agricultural products; adding new sections to chapter 15.04 RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     (1) The legislature finds that many of the agricultural products grown in this state such as dried peas and lentils, barley, and soft white wheat have excellent nutritional value, are an important part of the meals prepared in other regions and nations, and are available locally at relatively low cost.  The legislature is disappointed to find, however, that these products are not widely used in the preparation of meals in homes in this state.  Providing the state's consumers with information on ways of using these products in preparing meals that are appetizing and nutritious yet inexpensive would likely increase the sale and use of these Washington grown products in this state.  The legislature finds that such a result would benefit both the state's consumers and its agricultural producers.

          (2) The department of agriculture shall develop a mobile demonstration program for illustrating to household consumers the preparation of nutritious and appetizing foods and meals from Washington grown products such as those listed in subsection (1) of this section.  The department shall purchase and equip a van or similar vehicle as a mobile kitchen and demonstration center for bringing the program to fairs, food banks, and communities throughout the state.

          (3) The cost of purchasing and equipping the vehicle shall be borne by the department.  The commodity commissions whose products are the subject of the demonstration program shall bear the cost of operating the mobile demonstration program.  The department may not expend moneys for the vehicle until it has secured agreements from such commissions committing sufficient funds to ensure the successful operation of the demonstration program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) The legislature finds that the focus of most of the state's efforts for marketing agricultural products has been on developing foreign markets for products grown in this state and on identifying products that can be grown in this state for foreign markets.  While the legislature recognizes that export markets are vital to agriculture in this state, it finds that opportunities for developing markets in state and regionally for this state's agricultural products must not be overlooked.

          (2) The department of agriculture shall develop a plan for marketing locally and regionally, agricultural products grown in this state.  The plan shall address the marketing of products traditionally grown in the state, identifying new forms of those products for marketing, and identifying new products or processes for introduction in this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 15.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of agriculture to carry out the purposes of section 1 of this act.