PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine--Agricultural pests (WAC 16-470-900 through 16-470-921). The department is reviewing its fees for plant pathology services performed by the plant services and pest programs and may proposed to raise 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 17.24 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current plant pathology fee income is not adequate to cover costs associated with providing program services. RCW 17.24.131 Requested inspections -- Fee for service -- Disbursements in lieu of fee, states that the director may prescribe a fee for plant pathology services that "shall, as closely as practical, cover the costs of the service rendered, including the salaries and expenses of the personnel involved."
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, 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, 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.
March 21, 2006
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director