HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1562

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Sayan and Prentice; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Providing for sanitary control of shellfish.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (11)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Sprenkle, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:Antonio Sanchez (786-7383)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The authority to license and certify the commercial harvesting and processing of molluscan shellfish is mandated to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  Protection of public health relies upon effective enforcement to assure that commercial shellfish are harvested only from approved growing areas,and that processing of shellfish is conducted in a safe and sanitary manner.

Violations of growing area harvest requirements and shellfish processing appear to be increasing.  Current enforcement is limited to hold orders, summary suspension, revocation of certification and license, and gross misdemeanor charges. These enforcement tools appear to be ineffective.  They require a large investment of procedural time to enact and do not appear to deter chronic violators.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is allowed to impose civil fines up to $500 per day for violation of public health standards related to harvesting and processing of shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels).

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 3, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Eric Slagle, Department of Social and Health Services; Tim Smith, Pacific Coast Oyster Growers Association; and Bill Taylor, Pacific Coast Oyster Growers Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Gives the Department of Social and Health Services greater enforcement powers for controlling sanitary health.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.