66.24.215 - Levy of assessment on wine producers and growers to fund wine commission -- Assessment rate changes -- Procedures -- Disbursement -- Continuation.

Levy of assessment on wine producers and growers to fund wine commission — Assessment rate changes — Procedures — Disbursement — Continuation.

(1) To provide for permanent funding of the wine commission after July 1, 1989, agricultural commodity assessments shall be levied by the board on wine producers and growers as follows:

     (a) Beginning on July 1, 1989, the assessment on wine producers shall be two cents per gallon on sales of packaged Washington wines.

     (b) Beginning on July 1, 1989, the assessment on growers of Washington vinifera wine grapes shall be levied as provided in RCW 15.88.130.

     (c) After July 1, 1993, assessment rates under subsection (1)(a) of this section may be changed pursuant to a referendum conducted by the Washington wine commission and approved by a majority vote of wine producers. The weight of each producer's vote shall be equal to the percentage of that producer's share of Washington vinifera wine production in the prior year.

     (d) After July 1, 1993, assessment amounts under subsection (1)(b) of this section may be changed pursuant to a referendum conducted by the Washington wine commission and approved by a majority vote of grape growers. The weight of each grower's vote shall be equal to the percentage of that grower's share of Washington vinifera grape sales in the prior year.

     (2) Assessments collected under this section shall be disbursed quarterly to the Washington wine commission for use in carrying out the purposes of chapter 15.88 RCW.

     (3) Prior to July 1, 1996, a referendum shall be conducted to determine whether to continue the Washington wine commission as representing both wine producers and grape growers. The voting shall not be weighted. The wine producers shall vote whether to continue the commission's coverage of wineries and wine production. The grape producers shall vote whether to continue the commission's coverage of issues pertaining to grape growing. If a majority of both wine and grape producers favor the continuation of the commission, the assessments shall continue as provided in subsection (2)(b) and (d) of this section. If only one group of producers favors the continuation, the assessments shall only be levied on the group which favored the continuation.

[1988 c 257 § 7; 1987 c 452 § 13.]

Notes: Construction -- Effective dates -- Severability -- 1987 c 452: See RCW 15.88.900 through 15.88.902.