HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1432

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to powers and duties of the dairy commission.

Brief Description:  Expanding the powers and duties of the dairy commission.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stensen, G. Chandler, Linville, Koster, Cooper, Dunshee, Reardon and Wood.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  2/2/99, 2/19/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/9/99, 97-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate:  4/12/99, 49-0.

House Concurred.

Passed Legislature.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Expressly allows the Dairy Products Commission to participate in federal and state agency hearings, meetings, and other proceedings relating to dairies and dairy products and to provide educational meetings and seminars for the dairy industry on such matters.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives G. Chandler, Republican Co-Chair; Linville, Democratic Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Koster, Republican Vice Chair; Anderson; B. Chandler; Delvin; Fortunato; Grant; Reardon; Schoesler; Stensen; Sump and Wood.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

The Washington State Dairy Products Commission is an agricultural commodity commission that has been created directly by statute.  Among the authorities of the commission are: conducting scientific research designed to improve milk production, quality, transportation, processing, and distribution; and developing uses and markets for dairy products and promoting their sale.

Summary of Bill:

The Dairy Products Commission is expressly authorized to: participate in federal and state agency hearings, meetings, and other proceedings relating to dairies and dairy products; provide educational meetings and seminars for the dairy industry on such matters; and expend funds for these purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Although the promotion of dairy products will still be the main focus of the commission, the bill allows the Dairy Products Commission also to respond to regulatory aspects of the dairy industry.  The commission wants to work with regulators, particularly in the areas of water quality and dairy nutrient management, on behalf of the industry.  Other commodity commissions already have the authorities granted by the bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In favor) Representative Stensen, prime sponsor; and Steve Matson and Rod Erickson, Washington State Dairy Products Commission.