Dairy inspection program

AN ACT Relating to extending the dairy inspection program until 1
June 30, 2031; amending RCW 15.36.551; providing an effective date; 2
providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 15.36.551 and 2019 c 115 s 1 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
There is levied on all milk processed in this state an assessment 7
not to exceed fifty-four one-hundredths of one cent per 8
hundredweight. The director shall determine, by rule, an assessment, 9
that with contribution from the general fund, will support an 10
inspection program to maintain compliance with the provisions of the 11
pasteurized milk ordinance of the national conference on interstate 12
milk shipment. All assessments shall be levied on the operator of the 13
first milk processing plant receiving the milk for processing. This 14
shall include milk processing plants that produce their own milk for 15
processing and milk processing plants that receive milk from other 16
sources. Milk processing plants whose monthly assessment for receipt 17
of milk totals less than ((twenty dollars )) $20 in any given month 18
are exempted from paying this assessment for that month. All moneys 19
collected under this section shall be paid to the director by the 20
((twentieth)) 20th day of the succeeding month for the previous 21
H-0256.1
HOUSE BILL 1553
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Richards, Dent, Hackney, Bernbaum, Kloba, and
Springer
Read first time 01/23/25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture &
Natural Resources.
p. 1 HB 1553
month's assessments. The director shall deposit the funds into the 1
dairy inspection account hereby created within the agricultural local 2
fund established in RCW 43.23.230. The funds shall be used only to 3
provide inspection services to the dairy industry. If the operator of 4
a milk processing plant fails to remit any assessments, that sum 5
shall be a lien on any property owned by him or her, and shall be 6
reported by the director and collected in the manner and with the 7
same priority over other creditors as prescribed for the collection 8
of delinquent taxes under chapters 84.60 and 84.64 RCW.9
This section expires June 30, ((2025)) 2031. 10
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate 11
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of 12
the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes 13
effect June 30, 2025.14
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p. 2 HB 1553