SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6244

BYSenators Bailey, Hansen, Gaspard and Barr

Extending the organic food certification program to packing sheds and wholesale distributors.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 16, 1990; January 25, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6244 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Madsen.

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

                  January 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, JANUARY 25, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Agriculture administers a certification program for producers and processors of organic foods under RCW 15.86.  The program includes inspection by certification personnel, recordkeeping requirements, and the submission of product samples for chemical analysis.  The certification fees paid by growers must fund the inspection portion of the certification program.

SUMMARY:

The organic food certification program is expanded to cover packing sheds and wholesale distributors who handle organic food products.  All costs of the certification program, excluding the inspection program, shall be recovered from organic certification fees.

An appropriation of $141,652 is made from the general fund to cover the cost of the inspection program.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Only the costs of the inspection program must be recovered from organic certification user fees.  The inspection program is defined as all costs associated with the sampling and laboratory analysis of foods to verify that state organic criteria are met.

The appropriation is reduced to $49,500.

Appropriation:    $49,500

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bill Fritz, Washington Food Processors Council; Tony Maskal, Tilth Producers Group (pro); Rick Kramer, Organic Advisory Board (pro); John Daly, WSDA; Miles McEvoy