H-3691              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2545

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Representatives Rasmussen, Rayburn, Nealey, Kremen, Grant, Youngsman, Smith, Ballard, Prince, Doty, Prentice, McLean, Cooper, Vekich, P. King, Haugen and Kirby

Read first time 1/15/90 and referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development.

AN ACT Relating to the dairy products commission; amending RCW 15.44.170; adding a new section to chapter 15.44 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

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 restricting the use of such a product or substance by producers if the commission finds that its use has caused or will likely 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.

        Sec. 2.  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.