PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The purpose of this rule making is to adopt and amend sections within the rules of the Washington State Hop Commodity Board. Proposed additions and amendments will establish provisions for producer reporting and update rule language.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.65 RCW, specifically RCW 15.65.047 and 15.65.280, and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Clarifying provisions for producer reporting are being added to aid producers in understanding the necessary reporting procedures and the rule language updates will improve the readability and clarity of the affected section.
Process for Developing New Rule: The draft rule amendments have been developed as a result of a collaborative effort between the Washington State Hop Commission and the department. Once the draft amendments are finalized, notices will be published and mailed to all producers and handlers within the affected area who may be directly affected by these rule changes. Interested parties can submit comments during the public comment period and can also participate during the public hearing process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. See above for participation opportunities or contact Lynn Briscoe, Commodity Commission Coordinator, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-2043, fax (360) 902-2092, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov; or Ann George, Administrator, Washington Hop Commission, 301 West Prospect Place, Moxee, WA 98936, phone (509) 453-4749, fax (509) 457-8561, e-mail ann@wahops.org.
February 1, 2005
Lynn M. Briscoe
Commodity Commission Coordinator