Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout the chapter:

"Annual assessment" means the total annual assessment amount collected in a twelve-month period by an agricultural commodity board or commission under the provisions of its marketing order or authorizing statute. For the Washington beer commission, "annual assessment" includes net proceeds collected from commission-sponsored beer festivals in addition to the total annual assessment collected by the commission.

"Department" means the Washington state department of agriculture.

"Total financial contribution" means the contributions from all agricultural commodity boards and commissions to cover the annual salary and benefits of the department's commodity commission coordinator for commodity boards and commissions plus the annual costs for goods and services, travel, training and equipment necessary to support the commodity commission coordinator. The total financial contribution is one-half full-time equivalent employee.