RCW 15.28.180
Increase of assessment for specific fruit or classification—Procedure.
(1) The same assessment shall be made for each soft tree fruit, except that if a two-thirds majority of the state commodity committee of any fruit recommends in writing the levy of an additional assessment on that fruit, or any classification thereof, for any year or years, the commission may levy such assessment for that year or years up to the maximum of eighteen dollars for each two thousand pounds of any fruit except cherries or any classification thereof, as to which the assessment may be increased to a maximum of thirty dollars for each two thousand pounds, and except pears covered by this chapter, as to which the assessment may be increased to a maximum of eighteen dollars for each two thousand pounds: PROVIDED, That no increase in the assessment on pears becomes effective unless the increase is first referred by the commission to a referendum by the Bartlett pear growers of the state and is approved by a majority of the growers voting on the referendum. The method and procedure of conducting the referendum shall be determined by the commission. Any funds so raised shall be expended solely for the purposes provided in this chapter and solely for such fruit, or classification thereof.
The commission has the authority in its discretion to exempt in whole or in part from future assessments under this chapter, during such period as the commission may prescribe, any of the soft tree fruits or any particular strain or classification of them.
(2) An assessment levied under this chapter may be increased in excess of the fiscal growth factor as determined under chapter 43.135 RCW if the assessment is submitted by referendum to the growers who are subject to the assessment and the increase is approved by a majority of those voting on the referendum. The method and procedure of conducting the referendum shall be determined by the commission.
[ 1997 c 303 § 3; 1992 c 87 § 1; 1983 1st ex.s. c 73 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 8 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 43 § 1; 1963 c 51 § 4; 1961 c 11 § 15.28.180. Prior: 1947 c 73 § 26; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 2909-35.]
NOTES:
Findings—1997 c 303: See note following RCW 43.135.055.
Effective date—1997 c 303 §§ 1-3: See note following RCW 43.135.055.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 15 - Agriculture and Marketing
Chapter 15.28 - Soft Tree Fruits.
15.28.020 - Commission composition—Voting—Quorum.
15.28.023 - Director appoints members—Nominations—Advisory vote.
15.28.024 - Transition to director appointed commission.
15.28.030 - Qualifications of voting members.
15.28.040 - Appointment of voting members—Positions.
15.28.055 - Terms of present members.
15.28.060 - Nominating meetings—Notice—Appointment—Ballots—Advisory vote—Eligible voters.
15.28.070 - Establishment of subdistricts—Rules and regulations.
15.28.080 - Vacancies on commission—How filled.
15.28.090 - Compensation of members—Travel expenses.
15.28.100 - Powers of commission.
15.28.103 - Commission's plans, programs, and projects—Director's approval required.
15.28.105 - Commission speaks for state—Director's oversight.
15.28.110 - Duties of commission.
15.28.120 - Copies of records as evidence.
15.28.140 - District advisory and state commodity committees.
15.28.150 - Committee organization—Duties.
15.28.160 - Annual assessment—Exemption—Brined sweet cherries assessable.
15.28.170 - Research and advertising—Power to increase assessment.
15.28.180 - Increase of assessment for specific fruit or classification—Procedure.
15.28.190 - Deposit of funds—Treasurer's bond.
15.28.200 - Use of funds—Contributions.
15.28.210 - Records kept—Preservation—Inspection of.
15.28.220 - Returns to commission.
15.28.230 - Due date of assessments—Delinquent penalty.
15.28.240 - Collection rules—Use of "stamps."
15.28.250 - Responsibility for payment of assessments—Due upon receipt—Delinquencies—Civil action.
15.28.260 - Publications by commission—Subscriptions.
15.28.270 - Violations—Penalty.
15.28.280 - Venue of actions—Jurisdiction of courts.
15.28.300 - Rules and regulations—Filing—Publication.
15.28.305 - Rule making—Exemptions.
15.28.310 - Authority to agents of commission to inspect.
15.28.320 - Funding staff support—Rules.