PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Washington Hop Commission Marketing Order, chapter 16-532 WAC.
Hearing Location(s): Washington Hop Commission, 301 West Prospect Place, Moxee, WA 98936, on May 4, 2005, at 1:30 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 22, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: Lynn Briscoe, Commodity Commission Coordinator, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2092, by May 5, 2005, at 5:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Rochelle Painter at (360) 902-2060, by April 27, 2005, TTY (360) 902-1996.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this rule making is to amend sections within the commission's marketing order. Proposed amendments will update the definitions, decrease the board membership by two positions, decrease the annual assessment rate on all varieties of hops by $.70 per affected unit, and repeal WAC 16-532-065. The following sections are affected by the proposed amendments:
1. Amend WAC 16-532-010 Definitions.
2. Amend WAC 16-532-020 Hop board.
3. Amend WAC 16-532-040 Assessments and collections.
4. Repeal WAC 16-532-065 Rules for implementation of promotional hosting by the Washington hop commission.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed amendments are intended to make the marketing order consistent with the commodity commission enabling statute, chapter 15.65 RCW, and to implement the petition received from the Washington Hop Commission in accordance with RCW 15.65.050.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.65.047 and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 15.65 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: Any rule proposal that results from this rule-making process will not be adopted unless the proposed rules are also approved in a referendum of affected hop producers pursuant to chapter 15.65 RCW.
Name of Proponent: Washington Hop Commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Lynn Briscoe, Olympia, Washington, (360) 902-2043; Implementation and Enforcement: Washington Hop Commission, Moxee, Washington, (509) 453-4749, and Department of Agriculture, Olympia, Washington, (360) 902-2043.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Any adoption of amendments to chapter 16-532 WAC would ultimately be determined by a referendum vote of the affected parties. A formal small business economic impact statement under chapter 19.85 RCW is not required because of the exemption granted in RCW 15.65.570(2).
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Department of Agriculture and the Washington Hop Commission are not named agencies in RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).
March 21, 2005
William E. Brookreson
Deputy Director
OTS-7917.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-13-122, filed 6/17/98,
effective 7/18/98)
WAC 16-532-010
Definitions.
For the purpose of this
marketing order:
(1) "Director" means the director of agriculture of the state of Washington or his duly appointed representative.
(2) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.
(3) "Act" means the Washington State Agricultural Enabling Act of 1961 or chapter 15.65 RCW.
(4) "Person" means any person, firm, association or corporation.
(5) "Affected producer" or "producer" means any person who produces hops in commercial quantities in the state of Washington.
(6) "Commercial quantity" means any hops produced for market by a producer in any calendar year.
(7) "Handler" means any person who acts as principal or agent or otherwise in processing, selling, marketing, or distributing hops not produced by him.
(8) "Hop commodity board" hereinafter referred to as "board" means the commodity board formed under the provisions of WAC 16-532-020.
(9) "Hops" means and includes all kinds and varieties of "humulus lupulus" grown, picked and dried in the state of Washington, whether loose, packaged or baled and all oils, extracts and/or lupulin derived therefrom.
(10) "Processed" means and includes all hops which are converted into pellets, extracts, oils, lupulin, and/or other forms, including hops which are frozen in undried form, but excluding whole, dried hop cones, whether loose or baled.
(11) "Marketing season" means the twelve month period beginning with January 1 of any year and ending December 31, both dates being inclusive.
(12) "Producer-handler" means any person who acts both as a producer and as a handler with respect to hops. A producer-handler shall be deemed to be a producer with respect to the hops which he produces and a handler with respect to the hops which he handles, including those produced by himself.
(13) "Affected area" means the state of Washington.
(14) "Sell" includes offer for sale, expose for sale, have in possession for sale, exchange, barter or trade.
(15) "Affected unit" means two hundred pounds net of hops, or the amount of lupulin, extract or oil produced from two hundred pounds net of hops.
(((16) "Promotional hosting" as used in these rules means
the hosting of individuals and groups of individuals at
meetings, meals, and gatherings for the purpose of cultivating
trade relations and promoting sales of Washington grown hops.
(17) "Hosting" may include providing meals, refreshments, lodging, transportation, gifts of nominal value, reasonable and customary entertainment, and normal incidental expenses at meetings or gatherings.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.65.050. 98-13-122, § 16-532-010, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/18/98; 97-17-096, § 16-532-010, filed 8/20/97, effective 9/20/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.65.050 and 15.65.430. 96-15-139, § 16-532-010, filed 7/24/96, effective 8/24/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.65 RCW. 92-09-068, § 16-532-010, filed 4/14/92, effective 5/15/92; Marketing Order Article I, § A, filed 7/1/64.]
(2) Board membership.
(a) The board shall consist of ((ten)) eight members. ((Nine)) Seven members shall be affected producers elected as
provided in this section. The director shall appoint one
member of the board who is neither an affected producer nor a
handler to represent the department and the public.
(b) For the purpose of nomination and election of producer members of the board, the affected area shall be the entire state of Washington.
(3) Board membership qualifications.
The affected producer members of the board shall be practical producers of hops and shall be citizens and residents of the state of Washington, over the age of twenty-five years, each of whom is and has been actually engaged in producing hops within the state of Washington for a period of five years and has during that time derived a substantial portion of his income therefrom and who is not engaged in business, directly or indirectly, as a handler or other dealer.
(4) Term of office.
(a) The term of office for members of the board shall be three years and one-third of the membership as nearly as possible shall be elected each year.
(b) Membership positions on the board shall be designated
numerically; affected producers shall have positions one
through ((nine)) seven and the member appointed by the
director position ((ten)) eight.
(c) The term of office for the initial board members shall be as follows:
Positions one, two, three and ten - until June 30, 1967
Positions four, five and six - until June 30, 1966
Positions seven, eight and nine - until June 30, 1965
(d) Terms of office for the board members serving at the
time of the 1992 amendment of this section shall be as
follows:
Positions one, two, three and ten - until December 31, 1994
Positions four, five and six - until December 31, 1993
Positions seven, eight and nine - until December 31, 1992
(e) The term of office for the remaining producer board
members serving at the time of the effective date of the 2005
amended marketing order shall be as follows:
Positions four, five, and six - until December 31, 2005
Positions one and two - until December 31, 2006
Positions three and seven - until December 31, 2007
(5) Nomination and election of board members. Each year
the director shall call for a nomination meeting. Such
meeting shall be held at least thirty days in advance of the
date set by the director for the election of board members. Notice of every such meeting shall be published in a newspaper
of general circulation within the major production area not
less than ten days in advance of the date of such meeting and
in addition, written notice of every such meeting shall be
given to all affected producers according to the list
maintained by the director pursuant to RCW 15.65.200 of the
act. Nonreceipt of notice by any interested person shall not
invalidate the proceedings at such nomination meeting. Any
qualified affected producer may be nominated orally for
membership on the board at such nomination meetings. Nominations may also be made within five days after any such
meetings by written petition filed with the director signed by
not less than five affected producers. At the inception of
this order nominations may be made at the issuance hearing.
(6) Election of board members.
(a) Members of the board shall be elected by secret mail ballot within the month of November under the supervision of the director. Affected producer members of the board shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the affected producers. Each affected producer shall be entitled to one vote.
(b) If a nominee does not receive a majority of the votes on the first ballot a run-off election shall be held by mail in a similar manner between the two candidates for such position receiving the largest number of votes.
(c) Notice of every election for board membership shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the major production area not less than ten days in advance of the date of such election. Not less than ten days prior to every election for board membership, the director shall mail a ballot of the candidates to each affected producer entitled to vote whose name appears upon the list of such affected producers maintained by the director in accordance with RCW 15.65.200. Any other affected producer entitled to vote may obtain a ballot by application to the director upon establishing his qualifications. Nonreceipt of a ballot by any affected producer shall not invalidate the election of any board member.
(7) Vacancies prior to election. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the remaining members shall select a qualified person to fill the unexpired term.
(8) Quorum. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business and the carrying out of all duties of the board.
(9) Board compensation. No member of the board shall receive any salary or other compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for actual subsistence and traveling expenses incurred through attendance at meetings or other board activities: Provided, That such expenses shall be authorized by resolution by unanimous approval of the board at a regular meeting.
(10) Powers and duties of the board. The board shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To administer, enforce and control the provisions of this order as the designee of the director.
(b) To elect a chairman and such other officers as the board deems advisable.
(c) To employ and discharge at its discretion such personnel, including attorneys engaged in the private practice of law subject to the approval and supervision of the attorney general, as the board determines are necessary and proper to carry out the purpose of the order and effectuate the declared policies of the act.
(d) To pay only from moneys collected as assessments or advances thereon the costs arising in connection with the formulation, issuance, administration and enforcement of the order. Such expenses and costs may be paid by check, draft or voucher in such form and in such manner and upon the signature of the person as the board may prescribe.
(e) To reimburse any applicant who has deposited money with the director in order to defray the costs of formulating the order.
(f) To establish a "hop board marketing revolving fund" and such fund to be deposited in a bank or banks or financial institution or institutions, approved for the deposit of state funds, in which all money received by the board except as the amount of petty cash for each day's needs, not to exceed one hundred dollars, shall be deposited each day or as often during the day as advisable.
(g) To keep or cause to be kept in accordance with accepted standards of good accounting practice, accurate records of all assessments, paid outs, moneys and other financial transactions made and done pursuant to this order. Such records, books and accounts shall be audited at least annually subject to procedures and methods lawfully prescribed by the state auditor. Such books and accounts shall be closed as of the last day of each fiscal year of the state of Washington. A copy of such audit shall be delivered within thirty days after the completion thereof to the governor, the director, the state auditor and the board.
(h) To require a bond of all board members and employees of the board in a position of trust in the amount the board shall deem necessary. The premium for such bond or bonds shall be paid by the board from assessments collected. Such bond shall not be necessary if any such board member or employee is covered by any blanket bond covering officials or employees of the state of Washington.
(i) To prepare a budget or budgets covering anticipated income and expenses to be incurred in carrying out the provisions of the order during each fiscal year.
(j) To establish by resolution, a headquarters which shall continue as such unless and until so changed by the board. All records, books and minutes of board meetings shall be kept at such headquarters.
(k) To adopt rules and regulations of a technical or administrative nature, subject to the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW (Administrative Procedure Act).
(l) To carry out the provisions of RCW 15.65.510 covering the obtaining of information necessary to effectuate the provisions of the order and the act, along with the necessary authority and procedure for obtaining such information.
(m) To bring actions or proceedings upon joining the director as a party for specific performance, restraint, injunction or mandatory injunction against any person who violates or refuses to perform the obligations or duties imposed upon him by the act or order.
(n) To confer with and cooperate with the legally constituted authorities of other states and of the United States for the purpose of obtaining uniformity in the administration of federal and state marketing regulations, licenses, agreements or orders.
(o) To carry out any other grant of authority or duty provided designees and not specifically set forth in this section.
(11) Procedures for board.
(a) The board shall hold regular meetings, at least quarterly, with the time and date thereof to be fixed by resolution of the board.
(b) The board shall hold an annual meeting, at which time an annual report will be presented. The proposed budget shall be presented for discussion at the meeting. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by the board at least ten days prior to the meeting by written notice to each producer and by regular wire news services and radio-television press.
(c) The board shall establish by resolution, the time, place and manner of calling special meetings of the board with reasonable notice to the members: Provided, That the notice of any special meeting may be waived by a waiver thereof by each member of the board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.65.050. 99-10-095, § 16-532-020, filed 5/5/99, effective 6/5/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.65 RCW. 92-09-068, § 16-532-020, filed 4/14/92, effective 5/15/92; 88-24-028 (Order 1992), § 16-532-020, filed 12/2/88; Marketing Order Article II, §§ A through K, filed 7/1/64.]
(a) The annual assessment on all varieties of hops shall
be ((two)) one dollar((s)) and ((fifty)) eighty cents per
affected unit.
(b) For the purpose of collecting assessments the board may:
(i) Require handlers to collect producer assessments from producers whose production they handle, and remit the same to the board; or
(ii) Require the person subject to the assessment to give adequate assurance or security for its payment; or
(iii) Require the person subject to the assessment to remit assessments for any hops which are processed prior to the first sale; or
(iv) Require the person subject to the assessment to remit an inventory report for any hops which are not processed or sold prior to December 31 of the year in which they are produced.
(c) Subsequent to the first sale or processing, no affected units shall be transported, carried, shipped, sold, marketed, or otherwise handled or disposed of until every due and payable assessment herein provided for has been paid and the receipt issued. The foregoing shall include all affected units shipped or sold, both inside and outside the state.
(2) Collections. Any moneys collected or received by the board pursuant to the provisions of the order during or with respect to any season or year may be refunded on a pro rata basis at the close of such season or year or at the close of such longer period as the board determines to be reasonably adapted to effectuate the declared policies of this act and the purposes of such marketing agreement or order, to all persons from whom such moneys were collected or received or may be carried over into and used with respect to the next succeeding season, year or period whenever the board finds that the same will tend to effectuate such policies and purposes.
(3) Penalties. Any due and payable assessment herein levied in such specified amount as may be determined by the board pursuant to the provisions of the act and the order, shall constitute a personal debt of every person so assessed or who otherwise owes the same, and the same shall be due and payable to the board when payment is called for by it. In the event any person fails to pay the board the full amount of such assessment or such other sum on or before the date due, the board may, and is hereby authorized to add to such unpaid assessment or sum an amount not exceeding ten percent of the same to defray the cost of enforcing the collecting of the same. In the event of failure of such person or persons to pay any such due and payable assessment or other such sum, the board may bring a civil action against such person or persons in a state court of competent jurisdiction for the collection thereof, together with the above specified ten percent thereon, and such action shall be tried and judgment rendered as in any other cause of action for debt due and payable.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.65.050. 97-17-096, § 16-532-040, filed 8/20/97, effective 9/20/97; 95-17-118 (Order 5077), § 16-532-040, filed 8/23/95, effective 9/23/95. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.65 RCW. 91-15-019 (Order 2090), § 16-532-040, filed 7/10/91, effective 8/10/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.65.170. 87-10-059 (Order 1927), § 16-532-040, filed 5/6/87, effective 6/8/87. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.65 RCW. 83-16-041 (Order 1800), § 16-532-040, filed 7/29/83; 80-05-090 (Order 1686), § 16-532-040, filed 5/1/80; 79-01-045 (Order 1593), § 16-532-040, filed 12/21/78; Order 1332, § 16-532-040, filed 1/17/74; Marketing Order Article IV, §§ A through C, filed 7/1/64.]
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 16-532-065 | Rules for implementation of promotional hosting by the Washington hop commission. |