Legislative Tracker

The Legislative Tracker Blog is a forum for our local state Senators and Representatives to provide information about the work they are doing in the 2010 Legislative Session which began on Jan. 11.

Senate companion to Rep. Barbara Bailey’s crop adjuster bill signed into law

March 15th, 2010 at Mon, 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm by scottfrank

Legislation would help farmers following weather-related events

A Senate companion bill that mirrors a House version sponsored by Rep. Barbara Bailey, and will help farmers following weather-related events, has been signed into law. Senate Bill 6306 will establish a special category of crop insurance adjuster for the state.
Crop insurance protects producers from weather-damage losses, or losses in revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural commodities. An adjuster investigates and reports claims for insurance companies, and is required to have a license from the state Insurance Commissioner.
Crop adjusters typically specialize in just crop insurance. Under current law, crop adjusters are also required to be licensed in other lines of insurance. This requirement was feared to be problematic in the event several crop insurance claims are filed in a short time period and out-of-state adjusters are needed to assist in the state. This concern arose last fall when a large number of wheat-price support claims were filed.
“This legislation gives our farmers in the Tenth District the assurance that their crop insurance claims will be handled fairly and expeditiously following weather-related events,” said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. “This is about our state being prepared for worst case scenarios when it comes to weather and prices in agricultural commodities.”
Bailey’s version, House Bill 2514, passed off the House floor 96-0 on Feb. 10. Senate Bill 6306 passed off the Senate floor 47-2 and the House floor 96-0, and was signed into law by the governor March 15.
The 2010 regular legislative session ended March 11. Governor Gregoire called a special session, beginning today, so majority Democrats could have more time to finalize their state operating budget and tax increase plans.

Rep. Barbara Bailey represents the 10th District.

scottfrank I'm the Managing Editor for The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times. If you have any questions or suggestions you can email me. You can also follow me on Twitter.

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