Policy Team
During the regular session, a number of proposals of interest to WSDA passed the Legislature and are awaiting the Governor’s signature. One allows WSDA to establish a fee-based, organic-like certified marijuana program, and another gives the agency new authority to regulate the sanitary processing of marijuana-infused edibles. Two others update our weighmaster statute and create a grant program in WSDA to provide assistance for nonlethal management of wolves.
A bill which was signed by the Governor on April 17 grew out of a class project for the AgForestry Leadership Program. It replaces WSDA’s cumbersome mandatory seed arbitration program with a streamlined and less costly mediation process.
Budget items of interest to WSDA which will likely be part of the negotiations include funding requests for our food safety lab, the gypsy moth eradication program and for increased costs associated with regulating the marijuana industry.
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| "Potato Day" hosted by the Potato Commission is always a popular event at the state Capitol during legislative session. |
Other possible issues of interest include:
- Funding for the agency’s small farm direct marketing program.
- A fee increase for the weights and measures program.
- Potential cuts to the spartina program.
- Fair funding.
- Salary increases for state employees.
- Funding for an aquaculture coordinator.
Stay tuned; as we hear news about a budget agreement, we will keep you updated.
In summary: The 2017 regular legislative session is over and now lawmakers have moved into special session to work on the budget. Several actions will or could affect WSDA. Here’s an update.
