SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2924

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Belcher, Ferguson, Anderson, Jacobsen, Phillips, Winsley and Nelson

Regulating wild mushroom sales.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Wild Mushroom Harvesting and Processing Act created a licensing program for the commercial mushroom industry.  The information on commercial harvesting obtained through the licensing procedure provides data on the quantity of wild mushrooms harvested each season.  When the act was originally passed commercial mushroom processing involved three distinct components.  There was a mushroom harvester, the person who picked the mushrooms; a mushroom buyer, who bought the mushrooms from a mushroom picker; and there was a mushroom processor, who sorted and brined the mushrooms.

Since enactment of the Wild Mushroom Harvesting and Processing Act, the procedure involved in the processing of mushrooms has changed.  Buyers now sell to individuals who sell the product overseas in fresh form.  Processing consists of repackaging the product rather than washing, sorting and brining, as was the previous custom.  Therefore, the term "mushroom processor" is no longer applicable.

SUMMARY:

The terms used in the Mushroom Harvesting and Processing Act are clarified.  The term "mushroom dealer" is substituted for the term "mushroom processor" throughout the act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one