PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revision of existing weights and measures rules regarding the pricing and method of sale of retail motor fuel, heating fuel and liquified petroleum gas. The revision would combine two separate rules into a single, updated administrative rule and make other changes. The agency proposes amending chapter 16-659 WAC, Liquefied petroleum gas and chapter 16-657 WAC, Retail pricing of motor and heating fuel. The agency will combine and retitle these rules under chapter 16-657 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 19.94, 19.112, and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In compliance with Executive Order 97-02 on regulatory improvement, this rule change would streamline and update current requirements about the pricing and method of sale of retail motor fuel, heating fuel and liquified petroleum gas. Obsolete requirements would be eliminated and the rules would be revised to acknowledge current commercial practices and to protect consumers. The revision may incorporate adoption of additional sections of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook #130.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The agency will consult with the Weights and Measures Advisory Group and industry associations.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary Toohey, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094; or Jerry Buendel, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1856, fax (360) 902-2086, e-mail jbuendel@agr.wa.gov.
January 22, 2003
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director