Bills creating Washington Grain Commission pass in each chamber

Washington Ag March 2, 2009 Separate bills to create the Washington State Grain Commission passed in each chamber of the legislature last week. The new commission would replace the existing Wheat and Barley Commissions. House Bill 1254 was sponsored by Joe Smick, Republican from Colfax, who made this short comment on the House floor before the vote. Smick: “Well, this is a bill like everyone else the farmers are trying to consolidate commissions so they can control their overhead. Strangely enough the people who grow wheat also grow barley. So, pretty simple bill. I urge your support.� The bill passed 97 to zero. Senate Bill 5076 also passed without a dissenting vote. It was sponsored by Republican Senator Mark Schoesler. Schoesler: “Wheat and barley growers across the state of Washington had an advisory ballot whether they wanted to consolidate their two commissions into one. By an 89% approval rate they said yes we want one commodity commission instead of two, which is consistent with what we are trying to do in reducing the number. We actually create a small net savings for the Department of Agriculture and I urge your support.� Each bill now moves to the other chamber for consideration. Meanwhile, the Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing late last week on a bill that would correct unintended consequences of state government belt-tightening on commodity commissions from legislation the governor recently signed. Among other things the commissions, which are producer funded, are barred from entering personal service contracts or conducting out of state travel. Senate Bill 6097 would exempt the commissions from cost cutting measures. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.