Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 16-401 WAC, Nursery inspection fees, by adding a requirement that licensed nurseries must maintain accurate records of grapevine, fruit tree, or fruit tree related ornamental nursery stock sales and by specifying minimum standards for these records.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.13, 15.14, and 34.05 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal will increase the department's ability to conduct audits to determine if the appropriate assessment amounts have been paid by licensees.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives will discuss proposed rule changes with affected stakeholders and comply with the filing, publication and public hearing requirements of chapter 34.05 RCW. Affected stakeholders will have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposal during the public comment period and present oral testimony at the public hearing.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.

February 3, 2004

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director

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