FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2289

C 215 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Regulating planting stock certification and nursery improvement programs.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Linville and Schoesler; by request of Department of Agriculture.

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

Background:

An annual assessment is levied on the sale price of all fruit trees, fruit tree related ornamental trees, and fruit tree rootstock produced in this state or shipped by a licensed nursery dealer. The botanical genera of the related ornamental trees to which the assessment applies are listed by statute.  The assessment is on the wholesale market value of those sales and, except for certain rootstock, is based on the first sale price of the nursery stock.  The rate of assessment is determined by the director of the Department of Agriculture by rule as being that needed to carry out a fruit tree certification and nursery improvement program.  An advisory committee has been created by statute to advise the director regarding the fruit tree certification and nursery improvement program.  The director may provide, on a fee‑for‑service basis, special inspections and certifications to facilitate the movement of agricultural commodities.

Summary:

The plants subject to the assessment levied on sales of nursery stock for the fruit tree certification and nursery improvement program are altered and the purposes of the assessment are expanded.  The programs supported by the assessment now include a grapevine certification and nursery improvement program.  The plants the sale of which are assessed are all plants that fall within the botanical genera that contain:  grapevines; quinces; hawthorns; apple and crab apple trees; almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum trees; pears; and whitebeams and mountain ashes.

A committee is established to advise the director of the Department of Agriculture in the administration of the grapevine certification and nursery improvement program.  It is composed of two grapevine nursery dealers, three grape growers (two of which must grow wine grapes), a winery representative, a university researcher, and the director. 

The special services that the director may provide on a fee‑for‑service basis are expressly broadened to include those that facilitate the marketing of agricultural commodities and other plant products.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate480

Effective:  June 13, 2002