Title 15 — Title 15 AGRICULTURE AND MARKETING

The purpose of this chapter is to provide uniformity and consistency in the packaging of agricultural, vegetable, and flower seeds so as to facilitate the interstate movement of seed, to protect consumers, and to provide a dispute-resolution process. The department of agriculture…

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Advertisement" means all representations, other than those on the label, disseminated in any manner or by any means, relating to seed within the scope of this chapter…

(1) The department shall establish by rule standards and label requirements for the following seed types: Agricultural seed (including grass, lawn, and turf seed), flower seed, and vegetable seed.(2) The standards and label requirements shall be divided into the following categor…

In addition to the requirements contained in RCW 15.49.021, each seed label shall contain the following:(1) The name and address of the person who labeled the seed and who sells, offers, or exposes the seed for sale within the state;(2) Lot number identification;(3) Seed origin;(…

Every person who fails to comply with this chapter or the rules adopted under it may be subjected to a civil penalty, as determined by the director, in an amount of not more than two thousand dollars for every such violation. Each and every such violation shall be a separate and …

(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, or transport for sale any agricultural, vegetable, or flower seeds within this state unless the test to determine the percentage of germination is completed within a fifteen-month period prior to sale, pr…

(1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to cannabis seed. For the purposes of this subsection, "cannabis" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 69.50.101.(2) The provisions of RCW 15.49.011 through 15.49.051 do not apply:(a) To seed or grain not intended for sowing purpo…

(1) When a buyer is damaged by the failure of any seed covered by this chapter to produce or perform as represented by the required label, by warranty, or as a result of negligence, the buyer, as a prerequisite to maintaining a legal action against the dealer of such seed, shall …

(1) To submit a claim for mediation, the buyer shall make and file a sworn complaint against the dealer alleging the damages sustained. The sworn complaint may take the form of a declaration or affidavit. The buyer shall send a copy of the complaint to the dealer by United States…

The department shall administer, enforce, and carry out the provisions of this chapter and may adopt regulations necessary to carry out its purpose. The adoption of regulations shall be subject to a public hearing and all other applicable provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW (Administ…

(1) All screenings, removed in the cleaning or conditioning of seeds, which contain prohibited or restricted noxious weed seeds shall be removed from the seed conditioning plant only under conditions that will prevent weed seeds from being dispersed into the environment.(2) The d…

Upon application for a permit to condition certified seed, the department shall inspect the seed conditioning facilities of the applicant to determine that genetic purity and identity of seed conditioned can be maintained. Upon approval, the department shall issue a seed conditio…

The seed labeling registrant whose name appears on the label shall:(1) Keep, for a period of two years after the date of final disposition, complete records of each lot of seed distributed: PROVIDED, That the file sample of each lot of seed distributed need be kept for only one y…

The department shall have the authority to:(1) Sample, inspect, make analysis of, and test seeds distributed within this state at such time and place and to such extent as it may deem necessary to determine whether such seeds are in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.…

(1) No person may distribute seeds without having obtained a dealer's license for each regular place of business. However, a license is not required of a person who distributes seeds only in sealed packages of eight ounces or less, packed by a seed labeling registrant and bearing…

If an application for renewal of the dealer's license provided for in RCW 15.49.380, is not filed prior to the business license expiration date, the business license delinquency fee must be assessed under chapter 19.02 RCW and must be paid by the applicant before the renewal lice…

(1) No person shall label seed for distribution in this state without having obtained a seed labeling permit. The seed labeling registrant shall be responsible for the label and the seed contents. The application for a seed labeling permit shall be submitted to the department on …

(1) When the department has determined or has probable cause to suspect that any lot of seed or screenings is mislabeled and/or is being distributed in violation of this chapter or regulations adopted hereunder, it may issue and enforce a written or printed "stop sale, use or rem…

No state court shall allow the recovery of damages from administrative action taken or for stop sales or seizures under RCW 15.49.410 if the court finds that there was probable cause for such action.[ 1969 c 63 s 42.]

The department is hereby authorized to apply for, and the court authorized to grant, a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating or continuing to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulations promulgated under this chapter, notwith…

All moneys collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to the director and deposited in an account within the agricultural local fund. Such deposits shall be used only in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Any residual balance remaining in the se…

The department may cooperate with and enter into agreements with other governmental agencies, whether of this state, other states, or agencies of the federal government, and with private associations, in order to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.[ 1969 c 63 s…

The enactment of this chapter shall not have the effect of terminating or in any way modifying any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in existence on July 1, 1969.[ 1969 c 63 s 49.]

The repeal of sections 15.48.010 through 15.48.260 and 15.48.900, chapter 11, Laws of 1961 and RCW 15.48.010 through 15.48.260 and 15.48.900 and the enactment of this 1969 act shall not be deemed to have repealed any regulations adopted under the provisions of sections 15.48.010 …

RCW 15.49.020 through * 15.49.950 shall be known as the "Washington State Seed Act."[ 1969 c 63 s 53.]Notes:*Reviser's note: RCW 15.49.950 was decodified pursuant to 2017 3rd sp.s. c 25 s 4.