PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-218 WAC, Hops -- Certification analyses -- Fees, the department is reviewing its fees related to hop certification, analysis, and certificate issuance services and may propose to change them. In addition, the department may amend the existing language to increase its clarity and readability and update the language and provisions to conform to current industry and regulatory standards and practices.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 22.09 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes in hop industry practices may have made the existing fee structure and other provisions of this rule outdated. The current fee schedule reflects an era in hop production and marketing that has significantly changed. RCW 22.09.790 (1) and (3) specifically requires the department to maintain a fee schedule that is sufficient to cover the cost of providing services.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov.
September 21, 2004
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director