PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-623 WAC, Commission Merchant Act -- Licensing fees, proof of payment, cargo manifests and registration of acreage commitments; the department is reviewing its licensing fees for commission merchants, dealers, limited dealers, brokers, agents and cash buyers and may propose to raise them above the fiscal growth factor. 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 20.01 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current licensing fee income is not adequate to cover costs associated with providing program services.
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 fee increases 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 Directory, 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 Jerry Buendel, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1856, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail jbuendel@agr.wa.gov.
November 17, 2004
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director