VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6588-S

                   April 4, 2002

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6588 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to food service rules;"

     Substitute Senate Bill No. 6588 would have provided sole rulemaking authority to the State Board of Health for food service rules, and it would have made the state Department of Health the exclusive authority to interpret the rules.

     I support the development of a statewide food code that will protect all the citizens of the state, as well as provide more uniform standards for restaurants and other food handlers.  However, such an effort must leave enough flexibility for local health jurisdictions to make adjustments to accommodate their unique circumstances.  It is not necessary to diminish the existing powers or duties of local health authorities in order to gain a greater level of uniformity across our state.

     It is my understanding that the State Board of Health is already working to revise our state's food code.  I encourage local health authorities to work with the regulated community and the state to make sure the new rules provide uniformity wherever practical, and are comprehensive enough to address unique local circumstances.  I would like to see a state code that allows for narrow or limited deviations, and can be readily adopted by local jurisdictions.

     While this bill attempted to allow a local health board to adopt temporary deviations from the state rules, to respond to emergencies that "threatens the public health or safety," it is unclear what constitutes an emergency for this purpose.  This bill is too restrictive of local health authorities.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6588 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor