The bill amends existing laws related to the Washington beef commission, specifically RCW 16.67.120 and 16.67.200, and introduces new sections to chapter 16.67 RCW. It establishes a tiered assessment on cattle sales, starting at $1.50 per head on July 1, 2024, and increasing to $2.50 per head by January 1, 2026. Notably, the bill specifies that a portion of the assessment will not be collected at the first point of sale for calves identified with a green tag. Additionally, it mandates that the commission hold meetings in various geographic regions of the state and allows the commission to engage in scientific research related to beef production and environmental stewardship.

Furthermore, the bill provides producers the right to request refunds on the assessments collected, with specific amounts outlined for each year from 2024 to 2026. The commission is required to process these refund requests quarterly. The budgetary requirements for the commission are also detailed, emphasizing transparency and accountability in financial reporting, including a requirement to submit a detailed report of activities and expenditures to the legislature after each fiscal year. This report must include an accounting of the assessments collected and their usage.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 16.67.120
Substitute Bill: 16.67.120
Engrossed Substitute: 16.67.120
Second Engrossed Substitute: 16.67.120
Bill as Passed Legislature: 16.67.120, 16.67.200
Session Law: 16.67.120, 16.67.200