(1) The department, in consultation with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and the industry at large, will establish application deadlines, application review dates and dates for notifying applicants if they have been accepted to participate in the equipment lease program.

(2) The process for reviewing and approving application is as follows:

(a) The review committee will review all applications and recommend approved applicants to the director.

(b) The director will review the review committee's recommendations.

(c) Once the director approves the recommended applicants, applicants will be notified of the results within five working days of the director's decision.

(3) The department may implement additional application cycles as needed in order to insure that handler/packers may fully participate in the program.