AN ACT Relating to a livestock market net worth requirement; and amending RCW 16.65.030, 16.65.420, and 16.65.450.

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

Sec. 1. Section 3, chapter 107, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 1, chapter 91, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 16.65.030 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) On and after June 10, 1959, no person shall operate a public livestock market without first having obtained a license from the director. Application for such license or renewal thereof shall be in writing on forms prescribed by the director, and shall include the following:

(a) A legal description of the property upon which the public livestock market shall be located.

(b) A complete description and blueprints or plans of the public livestock market physical plant, yards, pens and all facilities the applicant proposes to use in the operation of such public livestock market.

(c) A detailed statement showing all the assets and liabilities of the applicant which must reflect a sufficient net worth to construct or operate a public livestock market.

(d) The schedule of rates and charges the applicant proposes to impose on the owners of livestock for services rendered in the operation of such livestock market.

(e) The weekly or monthly sales day or days on which the applicant proposes to operate his public livestock market sales.

(f) Projected source and quantity of livestock, by county, anticipated to be handled.

(g) Projected income and expense statements for the first year's operation.

(h) Facts upon which are based the conclusion that the trade area and the livestock industry will benefit because of the proposed market.

(i) Such other information as the director may reasonably require.

(2) The director shall, after public hearing as provided by chapter 34.05 RCW, grant or deny an application for original license for a public livestock market after considering evidence and testimony relating to all of the requirements of this section and giving reasonable consideration at the same hearing to:

(a) Benefits to the livestock industry to be derived from the establishment and operation of the public livestock market proposed in the application; and

(b) The present market services elsewhere available to the trade area proposed to be served.

(3) Such application shall be accompanied by a license fee based on the average gross sales volume per official sales day of that market:

(a) Markets with an average gross sales volume up to and including ten thousand dollars, a one hundred dollar fee;

(b) Markets with an average gross sales volume over ten thousand dollars and up to and including fifty thousand dollars, a two hundred dollar fee; and

(4) Any applicant operating more than one public livestock market shall make a separate application for a license to operate each such public livestock market, and each such application shall be accompanied by the appropriate license fee.

(5) Upon the approval of the application by the director and compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall be issued a license or renewal thereof. Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall only be valid at location and for the sales day or days for which the license was issued.

Sec. 2. Section 6, chapter 182, Laws of 1961 as amended by section 16, chapter 232, Laws of 1963 and RCW 16.65.420 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any application for sales days or days for a new salesyard, and any application for a change of sales day or days or additional sales day or days for an existing yard shall be subject to approval by the director, subsequent to a hearing as provided for in this chapter and the director is hereby authorized to allocate these dates and type and class of livestock which may be sold on these dates. In considering the allocation of such sales days, the director shall give appropriate consideration, among other relevant factors, to the following:

(a) The geographical area which will be affected;

(b) The conflict, if any, with sales days already allocated in the area;

(d) Buyers available to such market;

(e) Any other conditions affecting the orderly marketing of livestock.

(2) No special sales shall be conducted by the licensee unless the licensee has applied to the director in writing fifteen days prior to such proposed sale and such sale date shall be approved at the discretion of the director.

(3) In any case that a licensee fails to conduct sales on the sales days allocated to the licensee, the director shall, subsequent to a hearing, be authorized to revoke an allocation for nonuse. The rate of usage required to maintain an allocation shall be established by rule.

Sec. 3. Section 46, chapter 107, Laws of 1959 and RCW 16.65.450 are each amended to read as follows:

Any licensee or applicant ((~~who has had his or its license revoked, suspended or denied by the director and~~)) who feels ((~~himself or itself~~)) aggrieved by ((~~said~~)) an order of the director may appeal to the superior court of the county in the state of Washington of the residence of the licensee or applicant where the trial on such appeal shall be held de novo.