PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The purpose of this rule making is to adopt, amend, and repeal sections within the rules of the Washington State Hop Commodity Board, WAC 16-532-101 through 16-532-120. Proposed additions and amendments will address:
1. Establish provisions for producer reporting.
2. Remove the approved two-letter abbreviation list for hop varieties in WAC 16-532-120.
3. Update rule language.
4. Repeal of WAC 16-532-101.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.65 and 34.05 RCW, specifically RCW 15.65.047 and 15.65.280.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 1. Clarifying provisions for producer reporting are being added to aid producers in understanding the necessary reporting procedures.
2. The list of the approved two-letter abbreviations for hop varieties is being removed from the rule and will be approved annually by the board.
3. Rule language updates will improve readability and clarity.
4. Original promulgation rule no longer needed.
Process for Developing New Rule: The draft rule amendments have been developed as a result of a collaborative effort between the Washington State Hop Commission and the department. Once the draft amendments are finalized, notices will be published and mailed to all producers and handlers within the affected area who may be directly affected by these rule changes. Interested parties can submit comments during the public comment period and can also participate during the public hearing process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lynn Briscoe, Commodity Commission Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-2043, fax (360) 902-2092, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov; or Ann George, Administrator, Washington Hop Commission, 301 West Prospect Place, Moxee, WA 98936, phone (509) 453-4749, fax (509) 457-8561, e-mail ann@wahops.org. See above for participation opportunities.
September 3, 2003
Lynn M. Briscoe
Commodity Commission Coordinator