BILL REQ. #:  H-2024.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/27/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to regulating the sale, processing, or purchase of agricultural products; amending RCW 20.01.010, 20.01.130, 20.01.140, 20.01.211, 20.01.240, 20.01.320, 20.01.410, 20.01.460, 20.01.490, and 20.01.610; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 20.01.010 and 1991 c 174 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this title the terms defined in this section have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Director" means the director of agriculture or ((his)) a duly authorized representative.
     (2) "Person" means any natural person, firm, partnership, exchange, association, trustee, receiver, corporation, and any member, officer, or employee thereof or assignee for the benefit of creditors.
     (3) "Agricultural product" means any unprocessed horticultural, vermicultural and its byproducts, viticultural, berry, poultry, poultry product, grain, bee, or other agricultural products, and includes mint or mint oil processed by or for the producer thereof and hay and straw baled or prepared for market in any manner or form and livestock.
     (4) "Producer" means any person engaged in the business of growing or producing any agricultural product, whether as the owner of the products, or producing the products for others holding the title thereof.
     (5) "Consignor" means any producer, person, or his agent who sells, ships, or delivers to any commission merchant, dealer, cash buyer, or agent, any agricultural product for processing, handling, sale, or resale.
     (6) "Commission merchant" means any person who receives on consignment for sale or processing and sale from the consignor thereof any agricultural product for sale on commission on behalf of the consignor, or who accepts any farm product in trust from the consignor thereof for the purpose of resale, or who sells or offers for sale on commission any agricultural product, or who in any way handles for the account of or as an agent of the consignor thereof, any agricultural product.
     (7) "Dealer" means any person other than a cash buyer, as defined in subsection (10) of this section, who solicits, contracts for, or obtains from the consignor thereof for reselling or processing, title, possession, or control of any agricultural product, or who buys or agrees to buy any agricultural product from the consignor thereof for sale or processing and includes any person, other than one who acts solely as a producer, who retains title in an agricultural product and delivers it to a producer for further production or increase. For the purposes of this chapter, the term dealer includes any person who purchases livestock on behalf of and for the account of another, or who purchases cattle in another state or country and imports these cattle into this state for resale.
     (8) "Limited dealer" means any person ((operating)) who buys, agrees to buy, or pays for the production or increase of any agricultural product by paying to the consignor at the time of obtaining possession or control of any agricultural product the full agreed price of the agricultural product and who operates under the alternative bonding provision in RCW 20.01.211.
     (9) "Broker" means any person other than a commission merchant, dealer, or cash buyer who negotiates the purchase or sale of any agricultural product, but no broker may handle the agricultural products involved or proceeds of the sale.
     (10) "Cash buyer" means any person other than a commission merchant, dealer, or broker, who obtains from the consignor thereof for the purpose of resale or processing, title, possession, or control of any agricultural product or who contracts for the title, possession, or control of any agricultural product, or who buys or agrees to buy for resale any agricultural product by paying to the consignor at the time of obtaining possession or control of any agricultural product the full agreed price of the agricultural product, in coin or currency, lawful money of the United States. However, a cashier's check, certified check, credit card, or bankdraft may be used for the payment. For the purposes of this subsection, "agricultural product," does not include hay, grain, straw, or livestock.
     (11) "Agent" means any person who, on behalf of any commission merchant, dealer, broker, or cash buyer, acts as liaison between a consignor and a principal, or receives, contracts for, or solicits any agricultural product from the consignor thereof or who negotiates the consignment or purchase of any agricultural product on behalf of any commission merchant, dealer, broker, or cash buyer and who transacts all or a portion of that business at any location other than at the principal place of business of his employer. With the exception of an agent for a commission merchant or dealer handling horticultural products, an agent may operate only in the name of one principal and only to the account of that principal.
     (12) "Retail merchant" means any person operating from a bona fide or established place of business selling agricultural products twelve months of each year.
     (13) "Fixed or established place of business" for the purpose of this chapter means any permanent warehouse, building, or structure, at which necessary and appropriate equipment and fixtures are maintained for properly handling those agricultural products generally dealt in, and at which supplies of the agricultural products being usually transported are stored, offered for sale, sold, delivered, and generally dealt with in quantities reasonably adequate for and usually carried for the requirements of such a business, and that is recognized as a permanent business at such place, and carried on as such in good faith and not for the purpose of evading this chapter, and where specifically designated personnel are available to handle transactions concerning those agricultural products generally dealt in, which personnel are available during designated and appropriate hours to that business, and shall not mean a residence, barn, garage, tent, temporary stand or other temporary quarters, any railway car, or permanent quarters occupied pursuant to any temporary arrangement.
     (14) "Processor" means any person, firm, company, or other organization that purchases agricultural crops from a consignor and that cans, freezes, dries, dehydrates, cooks, presses, powders, or otherwise processes those crops in any manner whatsoever for eventual resale.
     (15) "Pooling contract" means any written agreement whereby a consignor delivers a horticultural product to a commission merchant under terms whereby the commission merchant may commingle the consignor's horticultural products for sale with others similarly agreeing, which must include all of the following:
     (a) A delivery receipt for the consignor that indicates the variety of horticultural product delivered, the number of containers, or the weight and tare thereof;
     (b) Horticultural products received for handling and sale in the fresh market shall be accounted for to the consignor with individual pack-out records that shall include variety, grade, size, and date of delivery. Individual daily packing summaries shall be available within forty-eight hours after packing occurs. However, platform inspection shall be acceptable by mutual contract agreement on small deliveries to determine variety, grade, size, and date of delivery;
     (c) Terms under which the commission merchant may use his judgment in regard to the sale of the pooled horticultural product;
     (d) The charges to be paid by the consignor as filed with the state of Washington;
     (e) A provision that the consignor shall be paid for his pool contribution when the pool is in the process of being marketed in direct proportion, not less than eighty percent of his interest less expenses directly incurred, prior liens, and other advances on the grower's crop unless otherwise mutually agreed upon between grower and commission merchant.
     (16) "Date of sale" means the date agricultural products are delivered to the person buying the products.
     (17) "Conditioner" means any person, firm, company, or other organization that receives turf, forage, or vegetable seeds from a consignor for drying or cleaning.
     (18) "Seed bailment contract" means any contract meeting the requirements of chapter 15.48 RCW.
     (19) "Proprietary seed" means any seed that is protected under the Federal Plant Variety Protection Act.
     (20) "Licensed public weighmaster" means any person, licensed under the provisions of chapter 15.80 RCW, who weighs, measures, or counts any commodity or thing and issues therefor a signed certified statement, ticket, or memorandum of weight, measure, or count upon which the purchase or sale of any commodity or upon which the basic charge of payment for services rendered is based.
     (21) "Certified weight" means any signed certified statement or memorandum of weight, measure or count issued by a licensed public weighmaster in accordance with the provisions of chapter 15.80 RCW.
     (22) "Licensee" means any person or business licensed under this chapter as a commission merchant, dealer, limited dealer, broker, cash buyer, or agent.

Sec. 2   RCW 20.01.130 and 1993 sp.s. c 24 s 929 are each amended to read as follows:
     All fees and other moneys received by the department under ((the provisions of)) this chapter shall be paid to the director and ((shall be)) used solely for the purpose of carrying out ((the provisions of)) this chapter and the rules adopted ((hereunder or for departmental administrative expenses during the 1993-95 biennium)) under this chapter. All civil fines received by the courts as the result of notices of infractions issued by the director shall be paid to the director, less any mandatory court costs and assessments.

Sec. 3   RCW 20.01.140 and 1959 c 139 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any change in the organization of any firm, association, exchange, corporation, or partnership licensed under ((the provisions of)) this chapter shall be reported to the director and the licensee's surety or sureties within thirty days.

Sec. 4   RCW 20.01.211 and 1983 c 305 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In lieu of the bonding provision required by RCW 20.01.210, any dealer who buys, agrees to buy, or pays for the production or increase of any agricultural product by paying to the consignor at the time of obtaining possession or control of any agricultural product the full agreed price of the agricultural product may file a bond in an amount equal to the dealer's maximum monthly purchases, divided by ((fifteen)) twelve, but the minimum bond ((provided by)) under this section shall be ((in a minimum of seven thousand five hundred)) no less than ten thousand dollars.
     (2) Any dealer using the bonding provisions of this section shall file an affidavit with the director that sets forth the dealer's maximum monthly purchases from or payments to consignors. The affidavit shall be filed at the time of application and with each renewal.
     (3) Any dealer bonded under this section who is found to be in violation of this chapter shall be required to comply with the bonding requirements of RCW 20.01.210 for a minimum of two years.

Sec. 5   RCW 20.01.240 and 1986 c 178 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) ((Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section,)) Any consignor who believes he or she has a valid claim against the bond of a commission merchant or dealer shall file a claim with the director. ((Upon the filing of a claim under this subsection against any commission merchant or dealer handling any agricultural product, the director may, after investigation, proceed to ascertain the names and addresses of all consignor creditors of such commission merchant and dealer, together with the amounts due and owing to them by such commission merchant and dealer, and shall request all such consignor creditors to file a verified statement of their respective claims with the director. Such request shall be addressed to each known consignor creditor at his last known address.
     (2) Any consignor who believes he or she has a valid claim against the bond of a commission merchant or dealer in hay or straw, shall file a claim with the director within twenty days of the licensee's default. In the case of a claim against the bond of a commission merchant or unlimited dealer in hay or straw, default occurs when the licensee fails to make payment within thirty days of the date the licensee took possession of the hay or straw. In the case of a claim against a limited dealer in hay or straw, default occurs when the licensee fails to make payment upon taking possession of the hay or straw. Upon verifying the consignor's claim either through investigation or, if necessary, an administrative action, the director shall, within ten working days of the filing of the claim, make demand for payment of the claim by the licensee's surety without regard to any other potentially valid claim. Any subsequent claim will likewise result in a demand against the licensee's surety, subject to the availability of any remaining bond proceeds.))
     (2) In the case of a claim against the bond of a commission merchant or dealer in hay or straw, default occurs when the licensee fails to make payment within thirty days of the date the licensee took possession of the hay or straw or at a date agreed to by both the consignor and commission merchant or dealer in written contract. In the case of a claim against a limited dealer in hay or straw, default occurs when the licensee fails to make payment upon taking possession of the hay or straw.
     (3) Upon the filing of a claim under this subsection against any commission merchant or dealer handling any agricultural product, the director may, after investigation, proceed to ascertain the names and addresses of all consignor creditors of such commission merchant and dealer, together with the amounts due and owing to them by such commission merchant and dealer, and shall request all such consignor creditors to file a verified statement of their respective claims with the director. Such request shall be addressed to each known consignor creditor at his last known address.
     (4) For claims against a bond that have been filed by consignors prior to the sixty-day deadline established in RCW 20.01.250, the director shall investigate the claims and, within thirty days of verifying the claims, demand payment for the valid claims by the licensee's surety. The director shall distribute the proceeds of the valid bond claims to the claimants on a pro rata basis within the limits of the claims and the availability of the bond proceeds. If a claim is filed after the sixty-day deadline established in RCW 20.01.250, the director may investigate the claim and may demand payment for a valid claim. The director shall distribute the proceeds of any such payment made by the surety to the claimant on a first-to-file, first-to-be-paid basis within the limits of the claim and the availability of any bond proceeds remaining after the pro rata distribution. All distributions made by the director under this subsection are subject to RCW 20.01.260.

Sec. 6   RCW 20.01.320 and 1959 c 139 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:
     The director on his or her own motion or upon the verified complaint of any interested party may investigate, examine, or inspect (1) any transaction involving solicitation, receipt, sale, or attempted sale of agricultural products by any person or persons acting or assuming to act as a commission merchant, dealer, broker, cash buyer, or agent; (2) the failure to make proper and true account of sales and settlement thereof as required under this chapter ((and/or)) or rules ((and regulations)) adopted ((hereunder)) under this chapter; (3) the intentional making of false statements as to conditions and quantity of any agricultural products received or in storage; (4) the intentional making of false statements as to market conditions; (5) the failure to make payment for products within the time required by this chapter; (6) any and all other injurious transactions. In furtherance of ((any)) such an investigation, examination, or inspection, the director or ((his)) an authorized representative((,)) may examine that portion of the ledgers, books, accounts, memoranda and other documents, agricultural products, scales, measures, and other articles and things used in connection with the business of ((such)) the person relating to the transactions involved. For the purpose of ((such)) the investigation the director shall at all times have free and unimpeded access to all buildings, yards, warehouses, storage, and transportation facilities or any other place where agricultural products are kept, stored, handled, or transported. If the director is denied access, the director may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant authorizing access to the premises and records. The court may upon the application issue the search warrant for the purposes requested. The director may also, for the purpose of ((such)) the investigation, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses, as provided in RCW 20.01.170, ((and/or)) or the production of books or documents, anywhere in the state.

Sec. 7   RCW 20.01.410 and 1971 ex.s. c 182 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A copy of a manifest of cargo, on a form prescribed by the director, shall be carried on any vehicle transporting agricultural products purchased by a dealer or cash buyer, or consigned to a commission merchant from the consignor thereof when prescribed by the director. A bill of lading may be carried in lieu of a manifest of cargo for an agricultural product other than hay or straw.
     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the commission merchant, dealer, or cash buyer of agricultural products shall issue a copy of ((such)) the manifest or bill of lading to the consignor of ((such)) the agricultural products and the original shall be retained by the licensee for a period of ((one)) three years during which time it shall be surrendered upon request to the director. ((Such)) The manifest of cargo ((shall be)) is valid only when signed by the licensee or his or her agent and the consignor or his or her authorized representative of ((such)) the agricultural products.
     (3) The commission merchant or dealer of hay or straw shall issue a copy of a manifest to the consignor. The original copy shall be retained by the commission merchant or dealer for a period of three years during which time it shall be surrendered upon request to the director. The manifest of cargo is valid only when signed by the licensee or his or her agent and the consignor or his or her authorized representative of hay or straw.
     (4) Manifest forms will be provided to licensees at the actual cost for the manifests plus necessary handling costs incurred by the department.

Sec. 8   RCW 20.01.460 and 1989 c 354 s 43 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or fails to comply with the rules adopted under this chapter is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, except as provided in subsections (2) ((and (3))) through (4) of this section.
     (2) Any commission merchant, dealer, or cash buyer, or any person assuming or attempting to act as a commission merchant, dealer, or cash buyer without a license is guilty of a class C felony who:
     (a) Imposes false charges for handling or services in connection with agricultural products.
     (b) Makes fictitious sales or is guilty of collusion to defraud the consignor.
     (c) Intentionally makes false statement or statements as to the grade, conditions, markings, quality, or quantity of goods shipped or packed in any manner.
     (d) With the intent to defraud the consignor, fails to comply with the requirements set forth under RCW 20.01.010(10), 20.01.390, or 20.01.430.
     (3) Any person who violates the provisions of RCW 20.01.040, 20.01.080, 20.01.120, 20.01.125, 20.01.410, or 20.01.610 has committed a civil infraction.
     (4) Unlawful issuance of a check or draft may be prosecuted under RCW 9A.56.060.

Sec. 9   RCW 20.01.490 and 1986 c 178 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any person found to have committed a civil infraction under this chapter shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No monetary penalty so assessed may exceed ((one)) five thousand dollars. The director shall adopt a schedule of monetary penalties for each violation of this chapter classified as a civil infraction and shall submit the schedule to the proper courts. Whenever a monetary penalty is imposed by the court, the penalty is immediately due and payable. The court may, at its discretion, grant an extension of time, not to exceed thirty days, in which the penalty must be paid. Failure to pay any monetary penalties imposed under this chapter shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.

Sec. 10   RCW 20.01.610 and 1986 c 178 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     The director or ((his)) appointed officers may stop a vehicle transporting ((hay or straw)) agricultural products upon the public roads of this state if there is reasonable cause to believe the carrier, seller, or buyer may be in violation of this chapter. Any operator of a vehicle failing or refusing to stop when directed to do so has committed a civil infraction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   The department of agriculture shall study the subject of establishing an indemnity fund to provide financial recovery for producers of agricultural seeds, including those who produce the seeds under bailment contracts, in cases where the producers are not paid in full for the sale of their seeds or are not paid in full under bailment contracts for producing the seeds. The examination shall include an identification of potential means of providing moneys for such an indemnity fund and how the costs of providing and maintaining such a fund would be borne. The department shall establish an advisory committee composed of representatives of growers of and dealers in the types of agricultural seeds grown in this state to assist it in the study. If general agreement among the members of the advisory committee and the department cannot be reached regarding establishing such a fund, the department and the committee shall examine alternative means of providing such financial recovery for producers of agricultural seeds.
     The department shall report the recommendations resulting from the study, including any recommended legislation in bill form, to the governor and to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2003. If the department and the committee do not reach a general agreement regarding such a recommendation, the department shall so report and shall again request the enactment of legislation listing such seeds among the agricultural products regulated under the state's commission merchant laws.