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 considering increasing the licensing fees for commission merchants, dealers, limited dealers, brokers, cash buyers, and agents within the OFM fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2008 (5.53%).

     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 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: 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, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Kirk Robinson, Program Manager, Commission Merchants Program, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1856, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail krobinson@agr.wa.gov.

January 23, 2007

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director

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