House Bill Analysis

HB 2999

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND ECOLOGY COMMITTEE                February 3, 2000

- Authorizes the Beef Commission to collect $1.00/head of cattle (rather than 504/head) for a national beef promotion and research program and eliminates certain exemptions from assessment.

- Authorizes a change in the Commission=s non-voting membership.

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Beef Commission has been created by statute.  It is composed of two beef producers, two dairy-beef producers, two feeders, one livestock sales-yard operator, and one meat packer.  A representative of the Department of Agriculture is a non-voting member of the Commission.  (RCW 16.67.040.)

A state assessment of 504/head of Washington cattle is levied at the sale of the cattle for the Commission.  In addition, the Commission may collect an additional assessment of 504/head for cattle that are subject to assessment under a federal order for providing funds for a national beef promotion and assessment program.  (RCW 16.67.120 and 16.67.122.)  Exempted from assessment, unless subject to assessment under the federal order, are animals sold for milk production and sales where the assessment exceeds 1% of the sale price of the animal.  (RCW 16.67.120 and 16.67.150.)

SUMMARY:

The assessment the Commission may collect for the national beef promotion and research program is now $1.00/head (rather than 504/head).  (Section 6.)  An exemption from assessment that is currently provided for animals sold for milk production, unless the national program assesses the animals, is repealed.  (Section 8.)  An exemption from assessment that is currently provided if the assessment exceeds 1% of the sale price of the animal, unless the national program assesses such animals, is also repealed.  (Section 5(1).)

The assessments for sales made without brand inspections conducted by the Department of Agriculture are now due by the 15^th day of the month following the month in which the transactions occurred.  The Department is no longer required to collect and remit the assessments for sales that are accompanied by a brand inspection.  Collections are to be made as prescribed in the federal order and the rules of the Commission.  (Section 5.)

The voting members of the Commission may now add one advisory member to the Commission and set the term for such an advisory member.  Representation of the Department of Agriculture on the Commission without vote is no longer required; it is now optional.  (Section 1.)  An annual report need no longer be presented at the Commission=s annual meeting.  (Section 3.)

The Commission=s programs for advertising, sales promotion, and marketing are no longer expressly prohibited by statute from referring to a particular brand or trademark.  (Section 4.)

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested.