PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-354 WAC, Hop rootstocks -- Certification, the department is reviewing its fees for hop rootstock certification services performed by the plant services program and may propose to change them. In addition, the department may amend the existing language to increase its clarity and readability and update the language to conform to current industry and regulatory standards.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.14 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes in hop industry practices and production methods may have made the existing fee structure and other provisions an inefficient use of resources. In particular, the existing fee schedule was adopted at a time when acreage for production of certified hop rootstock was significantly larger than it is today.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to 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, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., 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, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.
June 23, 2004
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director