WSR 15-05-074
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed February 18, 2015, 7:54 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-240 WAC, WSDA grain inspection programDefinitions, standards, and fees, the department is considering amending this chapter to address the fee structure in consideration of workload variables that contribute to variability in the fund balance, and to make modifications to update the chapter and make it more usable.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 22.09.020, chapter 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The grain inspection program is supported entirely by inspection services. The department is considering amending the fee structure to ensure that the grain fund is sufficient to support the program without generating an unnecessarily high balance, and to make modifications to update the chapter and make it more usable.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA GIPSA FGIS) must approve changes in the Washington state department of agriculture grain inspection program's fee schedule.
Process for Developing New Rule: The grain inspection program staff will develop the proposed amendments based upon program needs, requirements of USDA GIPSA FGIS, and input from the grain inspection program advisory committee and members of the grain industry.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jason Ferrante, Grain Inspection Program Manager, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1921, jferrante@agr.wa.gov; or Jeff Larsen, Commodity Inspection Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1960, jlarsen@agr.wa.gov.
The grain inspection program manager and/or the grain inspection program advisory committee may be contacted. The public may submit written comments during the public comment period and participate in the public hearing process.
February 18, 2015
Brad J. Avy
Assistant Director