BILL REQ. #:  H-2494.1 

READ FIRST TIME 2/28/07.   

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

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The director of the department of agriculture shall convene a livestock identification advisory committee to expand upon and complete the work begun by the cattle identification advisory committee under chapter 150, Laws of 2006.
     (2)(a) In organizing and making appointments to the livestock identification advisory committee, the director shall consult with the broad range of stakeholders who may be impacted by implementation of a mandatory or voluntary national or state animal identification system, or components thereof.
     (b) The director shall appoint to the advisory committee one or more members from each of the following livestock-related stakeholder groups: (i) The commercial livestock industry, including cattle feeders and producers of beef and dairy cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, and swine; (ii) noncommercial livestock owners, including those who raise animals as a hobby or as a source of supplemental income, barter, food for the family, or recreation; (iii) educational and recreational organizations such as horse-riding associations, community fairs, and youth groups; (iv) concerned citizens who have a stake in the issue; and (v) additional members as the director deems necessary. The director shall invite one member from a federally recognized Indian tribe to join the advisory committee. The director may reappoint one or more of the members who have served on the cattle identification advisory committee that terminates July 1, 2007, to serve in appropriate positions on the livestock identification advisory committee.
     (c) The advisory committee shall be convened by the director of the department of agriculture by July 1, 2007, chaired by the director or the director's designee, and staffed by the department.
     (3) In conjunction with the department, the advisory committee shall:
     (a) Review the recommendations made by the cattle identification advisory committee for implementation of a voluntary national animal identification system in Washington state;
     (b) Assess the impacts of such a system, whether federal or state only, on the commercial livestock industry, noncommercial livestock owners, livestock-related educational and recreational organizations, concerned citizens, and federally recognized tribes;
     (c) Work on issues identified but unresolved by the cattle identification advisory committee including how to:
     (i) Encourage participation by producers and others in a voluntary program;
     (ii) Set a fair and equitable funding mechanism and amount;
     (iii) Respond to federal goals and requirements that change over time;
     (iv) Address concerns about insufficient tag and reader technology performance; and
     (v) Address concerns that animal identification will slow commerce.
     (4) The livestock identification advisory committee shall make recommendations to the department on whether and how to implement a voluntary national animal identification system in Washington state.
     (5) The department of agriculture, in conjunction with the livestock identification advisory committee, shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008.
     (6) This section expires June 30, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   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.