WSR 14-05-100

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 19, 2014, 9:52 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend and create rules under Title 388 WAC to implement certain mandatory provisions of 2014 farm bill signed into law on February 7, 2014.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, 74.08A.010, 74.08A.903, Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246, 7 U.S.C.).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes proposed under this filing are intended to implement the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) provisions of Title IV of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2014 (farm bill) (H.R. 2642; 113th Congress).

Changes are expected to impact eligibility and benefits for the Washington Basic Food program and the state-funded food assistance program (FAP) for legal immigrants. Under RCW 74.08A.120, rules for FAP shall follow exactly the rules of the federal food stamp program (SNAP) except for the provisions pertaining to immigrant status.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) enforces the provisions of the federal SNAP as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. DSHS incorporates regulations from federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers and demonstration projects by adopting administrative rules for food assistance administered as the Washington Basic Food Program, the Washington combined application program, and transitional food assistance.

Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bob Thibodeau, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail thiborl@dshs.wa.gov.

February 19, 2014

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator