SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1308

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, MARCH 25, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying the composition of the beef commission.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Kremen, Tate and Jacobsen)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators M. Rasmussen, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Barr, Newhouse, and Snyder.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

Hearing Dates:  March 23, 1993; March 25, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The money collected by the Washington Beef Commission is expended for beef promotional programs, research into more efficient beef production methods, feed transportation studies and beef labeling programs.

The commission is currently composed of ten voting members including three beef cattle producers, two dairy cattle producers, three feeders, one livestock saleyard operator, and one meat packer.

The Director of Agriculture appoints members to the commission taking into consideration recommendations from organizations who are engaged in the same type of production as the person recommended for appointment.

SUMMARY:

Effective July 1, 1993, the number of members of the Beef Commission is reduced to five, one person to represent each of the five segments of the industry.

By June 15, 1993, the current members of the Beef Commission are required to select from among their number the persons who will continue to serve after July 1, 1993, to represent each of the beef, the dairy and the feeder segments of the industry.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The process of reducing the ten member commission to five members was altered.  The association that represents each segment of the industry makes a recommendation to the Director of Agriculture who should serve as the representative from that segment.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The industry prefers being involved in making the selection of persons to serve on the Beef Commission rather than having the current members selecting persons among themselves.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Marlyta Deck, WA Cattlemen's Assn.; Dedi Hitchens, WA State Dairy Federation