SB 6781-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Creates a dairy nutrient management task force.

     Requires that, by December 31, 2000, the task force shall recommend to the department and to the legislature:  (1) Clarification of key terms and phrases such as, but not limited to, "potential to pollute," that are used in the administration of this chapter and other statutes on water quality;

     (2) how frequently dairy nutrient management plans should be updated, considering the evolution of technical standards developed by the natural resources conservation service;

     (3) considering the report under section 3 of this act, the disposition of penalties collected from dairy producers under chapter 90.48 RCW;

     (4) considering the report under section 4 of this act, recommended sources of funding to meet the needs identified in the report;

     (5) the extent to which engineering expertise is required to implement the provisions of this chapter;

     (6) how to address responsibility for contamination originating from neighboring farms; and

     (7) clarification of the duties of the department as they pertain to initial inspections of dairy farms.

     Requires that, by September 1, 2000, the department of ecology shall report to the dairy nutrient management task force on the penalties assessed on dairy producers for violations of chapters 90.48 and 90.64 RCW since January 1, 1998.

VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6781-S

                   March 27, 2000

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 4, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6781 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to dairy nutrients;"

     This bill refines the Dairy Nutrient Management Act that was created in the 1989 legislative session.  Among other things, it creates a dairy nutrient management task force consisting of legislative, executive, federal and interest group members.  Section 4 of the bill would have required the Office of Financial Management to make recommendations to the task force on funding the dairy nutrient management program.  Such recommendations are more properly the function of the industry.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 4 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 6781.

     With the exception of section 4, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6781 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor