CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

HOUSE BILL 2657

Chapter 166, Laws of 2002

57th Legislature

2002 Regular Session

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS--PUBLIC PURCHASING

EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/27/02

Passed by the House March 11, 2002

Yeas 94 Nays 0

FRANK CHOPP

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Passed by the Senate March 8, 2002

Yeas 45 Nays 0

CERTIFICATE

I, Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is HOUSE BILL 2657 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

CYNTHIA ZEHNDER

Chief Clerk

BRAD OWEN

President of the Senate

Approved March 27, 2002

FILED

March 27, 2002 - 8:46 a.m.

GARY LOCKE

Governor of the State of Washington

Secretary of State

State of Washington

_______________________________________________

HOUSE BILL 2657

_______________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

Passed Legislature - 2002 Regular Session

State of Washington 57th Legislature 2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Hunt, Armstrong, Linville, Schoesler, O'Brien, Holmquist, Chase, Roach, Ogden, Clements, Cox, Mulliken, Barlean, Sehlin, Conway and Rockefeller

Read first time 01/23/2002. Referred to Committee on State Government.

AN ACT Relating to agricultural products purchased for state institutions and state-supported facilities; adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that state-produced agricultural products are of the highest quality, transported the least distance, and are the freshest agricultural products available in Washington state. The legislature further finds that providing improved markets for the richly diversified agricultural commodities produced in Washington is needed to stabilize and enhance the rural and agricultural economies in Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department of general administration, through the state purchasing and material control director, shall encourage each state and local agency doing business with the department to purchase Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products when available.

(2) The department of general administration shall work with the department of agriculture and other interested parties to identify and recommend strategies to increase public purchasing of Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products, and report back orally to the appropriate committees of the legislature in September 2002, and in January 2003.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.