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SB 5816

Concerning the sale of juice grapes.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nikki Torres

Expands producer bargaining to include juice grapes, creating accredited producer associations as exclusive negotiation agents to set fair terms and prices.

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
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Bill Summary · SB 5816

Summary: SB 5816 (Concerning the sale of juice grapes)

Overview

  • Purpose: To strengthen and formalize the negotiation framework for the sale of certain agricultural products, including juice grapes, by ensuring they are included in Washington’s producer negotiating processes. The bill aims to promote efficient production and marketing and to provide a process for fair prices and contract terms through accredited producer associations.
  • Status: First reading; referred to the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. Introduced April 21, 2025.
  • Jurisdiction: Washington State, RCW 15.83 (Marketing of agricultural products).

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amends RCW 15.83.010 and adds a new section to expand the scope of the producer-negotiation framework.
  • Definitions updated/expanded to include juice grapes among “agricultural products” and to codify roles and terms in the negotiation regime:
    • Accredit ed association of producers: An association accredited by the director to serve as the exclusive negotiation agent for all producer members within a negotiating unit.
    • Agricultural products: Now includes juice grapes, pears, sweet corn, and potatoes produced in the state.
    • Juice grapes: Grapes intended for nonfermented juice.
    • Association of producers: Any marketing/negotiating/processing group representing producers.
    • Director: Director of the Department of Agriculture.
    • Handler: Processor or entity involved in acquiring, processing, negotiating contracts, or acting as an agent for producers/associations.
    • Negotiation terms: “Negotiate” requires a period of discussion beginning 60 days before the normal planting date (for sweet corn/potatoes) or 60 days before the normal harvest date (for pears/juice grapes), with a conclusion within 30 days of those dates, aimed at reaching fair terms while preserving proprietary information.
    • Negotiating unit, processor, producer, and other related terms are defined to align with the existing marketing act framework.
  • New section (Sec. 1) underscores the state’s interest in including juice grapes in the fair-pricing and contract-term negotiation process.

Affected Parties

  • Producers: Growers of juice grapes and other listed agricultural products.
  • Accredited associations of producers: Entities that would serve as exclusive negotiation agents for members within a negotiating unit.
  • Handlers/Processors: Entities that purchase, process, or contract for the listed agricultural products, including juice grapes.
  • Directors/Department of Agriculture: Responsible for accrediting associations and overseeing the negotiation framework.

Procedural & Timeline Aspects

  • Framework requires structured negotiation windows (60 days prior to planting/harvest, depending on crop) and a 30-day window to conclude negotiations.
  • Status indicates initial consideration; further committee action would be required to advance beyond first reading.

Potential Impact

  • Expands organized producer bargaining to include juice grapes, potentially altering prices, contract terms, and producer leverage.
  • May necessitate formation or accreditation of producer associations to act as exclusive negotiation agents.
  • Sets confidentiality safeguards to protect proprietary business information during negotiations.

Next Steps

  • Follow the bill’s progression through committee and full chamber vote.
  • If enacted, expect regulatory rules and accreditation processes to operationalize the exclusive negotiation framework for juice grapes and other included crops.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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