Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
ESSB 5150
Brief Description: Concerning the beef commission.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senator Shewmake).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill
  • Raises the Beef Commission's (Commission) levied assessment to $2.50.
  • Specifies that $1.50 of the assessment may not be collected at the first point of sale for calves identified with green tags.
  • Requires the Commission to submit an annual report to the Legislature containing certain information regarding the assessments collected and expenditures.
  • Requires the Commission to hold board meetings in different regions of the state, with at least two meetings in Eastern Washington.
  • Authorizes the Commission to fund, conduct, or otherwise participate in scientific research related to beef.
Hearing Date: 3/15/23
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:

Washington State Beef Commission.
The Washington State Beef Commission (Commission) is composed of two beef producers, two dairy-beef producers, two feeders, one livestock saleyard operator, one meat packer, and a representative of the Department of Agriculture.  The purpose of the Commission is to fund beef promotion, research, and consumer education activities supporting Washington's beef industry.  The Commission is funded by an assessment of $1 per head of Washington cattle, which is levied at the time of sale.  The Commission may collect an additional assessment of $0.50 per head for cattle subject to assessment under a federal order that is remitted to remitted to the national Cattlemen's Beef Board for a national beef promotion and research program.  The Commission must prepare a budget each year that covers the anticipated income and expenses to be incurred in carrying out the Commission's statutory obligations.  The budget is proposed for discussion at an annual meeting.  Public notice of the annual meeting must be given at least 10 days before the meeting is held.  Otherwise, the Commission holds regular meetings quarterly.


Green Tags.
Green tags are a voluntary means of identifying certain unbranded Grade A dairy calves leaving the dairy business and entering the human food chain, and are affixed to the calf's ear.  Calves identified with green tags are generally exempt from livestock inspection requirements at the first point of sale so long as certain requirements are met and the calves are not being sold or transported outside of Washington.
Summary of Bill:

The Beef Commission's (Commission) levied assessment is increased from $1 per head to $2.50 per head on cattle sold in Washington, and $1.50 of the assessment may not be collected at the first point of sale of any calf identified with a green tag.  Fees may be collected by the Livestock Identification Program of the Department of Agriculture (WSDA) rather than the Livestock Services Division of the WSDA.   


The Commission must submit a report to the Legislature by January 1 of each year that provides an accounting of funds collected, funds spent, and the purposes for which the funds were used in the previous year.  The Commission must hold board meetings in different geographic regions of the state throughout the year.  At least two meetings must be held in Eastern Washington.  Geographic regions must include the northeast, southeast, central southwest, and northwest regions of the state.  


The Commission may fund, conduct, or otherwise participate in scientific research related to beef including improving production, quality, transportation, processing, distribution, and environmental stewardship. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.