BILL REQ. #:  S-4132.1 

Read first time 01/11/2006.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to animal identification; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The director of agriculture shall convene an advisory committee composed of representatives from the various segments of the livestock industry that will be involved in the implementation of the state's component of the national animal identification program for animal health and disease trace-back purposes. The advisory committee shall be chaired by the director of agriculture or the director's appointee. In making the appointments to the advisory committee, the director shall consult with organizations that represent the affected segments of the livestock industry. The director may appoint additional members to the advisory committee as deemed necessary.
     (2) The advisory committee shall evaluate the requirements of the federal program and examine approaches being taken by other states, with an emphasis on neighboring states and the states that engage in the largest amount of trade in livestock with Washington state. The director may contract with a person to assemble information needed by the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall develop a plan for implementation that includes recommended funding amounts and sources. In developing a funding proposal for the plan, the advisory committee shall consult with the office of financial management.
     (3) The advisory committee may provide interim reports as deemed necessary by the director. A final report shall be submitted to the house of representatives and to the senate by December 1, 2006.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2007.