PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department, based upon a rule review by the fruit and vegetable inspection program in the Commodity Inspection Division, will propose amendments to chapter 16-461 WAC that repeals WAC 16-461-015 Effective date, because it is obsolete and no longer needed; and revises WAC 16-461-010 Inspection certificate and/or permit required, by adding language specifying that the requirements in the section apply to both the intrastate and out-of-state movement of listed commodities.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs and chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed rule amendments for listed commodities are needed to comply with statutory requirements that listed commodities must meet the state standards that are specific to the commodity. The proposed amendments for listed commodities clarify the type of commodity movements that require an inspection. This clarification will make is easier for industry to comply with the rule.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Fruit and vegetable inspection program staff will develop the proposed rule amendments. Interested parties will be able comment on the proposal during the formal comment period and at the public hearing, the dates of which will be announced when the CR-102 is filed with the code reviser in September 2003.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jim Quigley, Program Manager, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1833, fax (360) 902-2085.
July 22, 2003
Robert W. Gore
Assistant Director