WSR 05-06-059

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE


[ Filed March 1, 2005, 9:13 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-40-660 Timber excise tax -- Stumpage value tables.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 84.33.096, 82.32.300, and 82.01.060(2).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 84.33.091 requires the department to revise the stumpage value tables every six months. The department establishes stumpage value tables to apprise timber harvesters of the timber values on which the timber excise tax is calculated.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Although the United States Forest Service and Washington State Department of Natural Resources both regulate forest practices, neither is involved in valuation for taxation purposes. The nontax processes and definitions are coordinated with these agencies to avoid conflict, but there should be no need to involve them in the valuation revisions provided in this rule.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Modified negotiated rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax, or at the public meeting. Oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. A preliminary draft of the proposed changes will be available upon request shortly before the public meeting. Written comments on and/or requests for copies of the rule may be directed to Gilbert Brewer, Interpretations and Technical Advice Unit, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-7453, e-mail GilB@dor.wa.gov, phone (360) 570-6133, fax (360) 586-5543.

     Public Meeting Location: Capital Plaza Building, 4th Floor, L&P Large Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on April 27, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

February 28, 2005

Alan R. Lynn

Rules Coordinator

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