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2007 House Bill 1648: Increasing protections for agricultural operations, activities, and practices.
  1. Introduced by Rep. Brian Sullivan (D) on January 24, 2007, to protect farmers from ‘nuisance’ litigation. The bill adds a new section that defines the legislative intent of protecting agricultural and forest activities from lawsuits. The bill also expands agricultural and forest operations to include activities that are related. See companion SB 5076.
    • Referred to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on January 24, 2007.
    • Referred to the House Rules Committee on February 16, 2007.
    • Amendment offered in the House on February 28, 2007, to clarify that the words "movement","storage", and "plant pollination" refer to bee-keeping. The existing definition of "agricultural activity" is changed to include keeping of bees for pollination of agricultural products and gardens.
    • The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2007.
  2. Passed 97 to 0 in the House on February 28, 2007.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the Senate on March 2, 2007.
    • Referred to the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee on March 2, 2007.
      • Amendment offered to the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee on March 26, 2007, to: (1) address a limit in the bill's title by deleting language regarding forest practices and operations; (2) clarify that keeping of bees for producing agricultural or apicultural products (honey, beeswax, etc.) is protected; (3) clarify that a change in the type of plant-related farm product being produced is protected; (4) protect use of new practices and equipment consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry; and (5) add shellfish production to protected activities.
    • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on March 27, 2007.
    • Amendment offered by Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, (D-Eatonville) (D) on April 11, 2007, to address title limit by deleting language regarding forest practices and operations. Clarifies that keeping of bees for producing agricultural or apicultural products (honey, beeswax, etc.) is protected. Clarifies that change in the type of plant-related farm product being produced is protected. Protects use of new practices and equipment consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 11, 2007.
  4. Passed 46 to 0 in the Senate on April 11, 2007.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  5. Received in the House on April 14, 2007. Passed 93 to 0 in the House on April 14, 2007.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  6. Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 4, 2007.

Comments

2007 House Bill 1648 (Increasing protections for agricultural operations, activities, and practices.)  by admin on January 1, 2001 
Introduced in the House on January 24, 2007

The vote was 97 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 0 at House Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.