Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-103, Milk processing assessments and collections.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.36, Fluid milk.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule establishes the assessment collected on all milk processed in the state, collection of the assessment and penalties for late payment. It also set the renewal date and late fee for milk processing plant licenses.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department has determined after review of this rule that it does not require any changes. It will be scheduled for review again in 2003.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Comments will be accepted for thirty days after the date of publication of this order. Please direct written comments to Verne E. Hedlund, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560 or by phone (360) 902-1860, fax (360) 902-2087.

August 4, 1999

Candace A. Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director