HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5374

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.

As Passed House:

April 6, 2011

Title: An act relating to making technical, nonsubstantive changes to department of agriculture-related sections.

Brief Description: Making technical, nonsubstantive changes to various sections of the Revised Code of Washington that impact the department of agriculture.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Becker and Hobbs).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 3/11/11, 3/16/11 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/6/11, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Makes corrections to outdated provisions, obsolete statutory cross references, redundant provisions, non-gender neutral terms, and other anachronistic terminology in the statutes administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: 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.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) oversees, manages, regulates, and supports programs that relate to food safety and the agriculture industry. The scope of the WSDA includes animal services, commodity inspections, consumer services, pesticide management, plant services, food assistance programs, and the marketing of Washington agricultural products.

Summary of Bill:

Corrections have been made to outdated provisions, obsolete statutory cross references, redundant provisions, non-gender neutral terms, and other anachronistic terminology in statutes administered by the WSDA. Legislative intent is stated that affirms that all changes are technical and non-substantive in nature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Technical changes were identified by staff at the WSDA. The bill includes in its contents the correction of statutory cross-references, misspellings, and other non-material matters that should be cleaned up. This is truly a good little bill.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Tom Davis, Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.