Bill

SB 880

84(R) - 2015
Senate Business & Commerce
Senate Business & Commerce

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Jane Nelson

Bill Caption

Relating to certain committees and programs to develop the wine industry in this state through the Department of Agriculture.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 880, if passed, would make a number of changes to the legal regime surrounding the Wine Industry Development and Marketing Advisory Committee (Section 50B). The most significant change would be to replace that committee with a Wine Industry Development Advisory Committee. Although the term "marketing" would be removed from the committee's name, the marketing responsibilities of the new committee would carry over from the old committee.

Many of the other changes made in the code would further add and remove certain tasks which are to be completed by the committee, most notably requiring the committee to submit a plan of action and budget on a regular basis.

Vote Recommendation Notes

In a free market system this type of government tinkering in the marketplace is both unnecessary and undesirable. If this bill aimed to create a new advisory committee we would likely oppose it. The promotion of special interests is not a legitimate function of the state.

However, SB 880 simply makes changes to an existing committee. The changes proposed by this legislation neither affirm nor abridge our liberty principles, therefore we remain neutral on SB 880.