HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1538

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Buys, Blake, Chandler, Taylor, Orcutt, Hinkle, Haler, Johnson and Warnick).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/8/11, 2/15/11 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/26/11, 97-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/7/11, 43-4.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Makes unlawful the transport of animals, unless exempted, to a destination other than the address listed on the accompanying transportation document.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Dunshee, Hinkle, Kretz, Lytton, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Rolfes and Van De Wege.

Background:

The Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is authorized to adopt rules that prevent the introduction of spreading of infectious diseases into the state. This includes the authority to adopt rules regarding the inspection and testing of all animals in the state or being imported into the state. The WSDA may charge a time and mileage fee for livestock inspections and investigations of $85 per hour, plus mileage. The WSDA has the authority to raise this fee by rule.

It is unlawful for a person to bring livestock into Washington without first obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection verifying that the animals meet Washington's health requirements. This requirement does not apply to animals that will be delivered to a feed lot, slaughter plant, or livestock market within 12 hours of importation.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The WSDA is authorized to adopt rules that require the certificate of veterinarian inspection, health papers, permits, or other transportation documents to provide a physical address and a timeline as to when the animals will be transported directly to that address. Unless exempted by the WSDA, it is unlawful to transfer an animal to a location other than the address designated on the transportation documents.

The ability of the WSDA to charge a mileage and hourly fee for violation inspections is changed to allow the WSDA to collect up to $85 per hour.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

The Senate amendment (1) establishes a fee, up to 40 cents per head of cattle, to be paid to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) on all cattle sold, slaughtered, or transported out of the state to be used by the WSDA for the administration of animal disease traceability programs; (2) creates the animal disease traceability advisory committee to advise the WSDA; (3) requires reports and audits by the WSDA; and (4) creates a new account within the agricultural local fund.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The bill addresses issues of livestock being diverted to a feed lot before being delivered to the specified location. There have been instances of cattle never arriving at their required destination.

(Opposed) None.