FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2682

C 170 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Exempting hop grower lot information used in the state department of agriculture export document from public disclosure.

Sponsors: Representatives Buys, Blake, Dent, Chandler and Fitzgibbon; by request of Department of Agriculture.

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks

Background:

The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make their written records available to the public for inspection and copying upon request, unless the information fits into one of the various specific exemptions in the PRA or otherwise provided in law. The stated policy of the PRA favors disclosure and requires narrow application of the listed exemptions.

The PRA lists exemptions for certain information relating to agriculture and livestock. These exemptions include:

• information on the purchase, sale, or production of individual American ginseng growers or dealers;

• information for issuance of certificates of compliance for packers and shippers of fruits and vegetables;

• certain herd inventory management information for animal disease traceability submitted to the Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by an individual or business; and

• financial statements used to determine whether an applicant meets the minimum net worth requirements to operate a public livestock market.

The Chemical and Hop Laboratory, a part of the Plant Protection Division of the WSDA, conducts physical grading and chemical analysis of hops, by lot, for several reasons including to determine if a lot meets label guarantees. Laboratory data is included in export documents issued by the WSDA.

Summary:

Hop grower lot numbers and associated laboratory results used by the WSDA to issue export documents are exempt from public disclosure under the PRA.

Votes on Final Passage: