H-4362              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2545

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rasmussen, Rayburn, Nealey, Kremen, Grant, Youngsman, Smith, Ballard, Prince, Doty, Prentice, McLean, Cooper, Vekich, P. King, Haugen and Kirby)

Read first time 2/2/90.

AN ACT Relating to the dairy products commission; amending RCW 15.44.170; adding new sections to chapter 15.44 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 15.44 RCW to read as follows:

          The commission shall examine the potential impact of products or substances, including but not limited to the products of biotechnology, which, if used in dairy operations, may affect consumer acceptance and purchases of dairy products and shall monitor the use of such products or substances by producers.  In addition to its other authorities, the commission may adopt rules temporarily restricting the use of such a product or substance by producers if the commission finds that its use has caused or will cause the consumption of dairy products in this state to be reduced significantly and poses a threat to the economic vitality of the dairy industry in this state.

          A rule adopted under this section shall remain in effect only until consumer acceptance of the product or substance restricted by the rule has been achieved.  A rule adopted under this section shall not pertain to agricultural commodities, or substances used in the production of agricultural commodities, which are used as feed by dairy producers.

          Each time it adopts or rescinds a rule under this section, the commission shall report to the agriculture committee of the senate and the agriculture and rural development committee of the house of representatives regarding the restriction it is imposing or rescinding with that

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 15.44 RCW to read as follows:

          The commission shall appoint a committee to advise the commission regarding:  Consumer perception of the effects of products or substances used in the production of milk on the wholesomeness of milk and milk products, and programs which influence that perception.  The advisory committee shall be composed of state legislators, representatives of agricultural producers, and representatives of manufacturers, distributors, and applicators of biotechnology and pesticide products used in the production of dairy products.  The committee shall submit recommendations on these subjects to the commission by June 30, 1991.  Members of the committee who are members of the legislature shall be reimbursed as provided in chapter 44.04 RCW.

        Sec. 3.  Section 15.44.170, chapter 11, Laws of 1961 and RCW 15.44.170 are each amended to read as follows:

          Whoever violates or aids in the violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted by the commission shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall expire June 30, 1993.