HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2518

BYRepresentatives Rayburn, Nealey, Kremen, McLean, Jesernig, Baugher, Grant, Kirby, Rasmussen, Youngsman, Chandler, Doty, Rector, Dellwo, Smith, P. King, Jacobsen, Basich, Fuhrman, Ballard, Spanel, H. Myers and Inslee

Promoting Washington's agricultural products.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Nealey, Ranking Republican Member; Chandler, Doty, Grant, Jesernig, Kirby, McLean, Rasmussen and Youngsman.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

JANUARY 16, 1990

BACKGROUND:

State law designates the Department of Agriculture as the state's agency for administering and developing state agricultural market development programs.  This designation applies expressly to programs for both domestic and foreign markets.  Among the powers and responsibilities of the department established by law are those to study the marketability of the state's various agricultural commodities in domestic trade, to collect and analyze domestic market data, and to encourage the establishment and use of public markets for the sale of this state's agricultural products.

The department has indicated that as much as 75 percent of the food and agricultural products produced, processed, and marketed from the state may be sold in local, regional, and United States markets.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The sum of $300,000 is appropriated to the Department of Agriculture from the general fund to expand its activities for supporting the marketing of this state's agricultural products in local, regional, and national markets.

The activities to be emphasized by the department with this appropriation include support for the establishment and expansion of local farmers' markets and promotion of the sale of Washington's agricultural products by retail grocers, wholesalers, and food brokers.

Emphasis must also be placed on encouraging the in-state production of specialty processed foods.  The department must report to the Legislature by January 1, 1991, regarding state imposed obstacles to expanding food processing and sales opportunities and means of encouraging such opportunities.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Added by the amendment is the requirement that the department study and report to the Legislature regarding enhancing food processing opportunities.

Appropriation:    $300,000 from the general fund to the Department of Agriculture.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 15, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Art Scheunemann, Department of Agriculture.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Original Bill)  The bill will permit the department to enhance its support for domestic marketing activities.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.