PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: For the newly formed Washington beer commission, these rules will put into force the assessment authorized by RCW 15.89.110. The assessment will begin with fourth quarter 2006 production. For the year 2007 and after, it is proposed that assessments would be collected annually in the following January based upon the previous year's production data. Federal excise tax reporting documents will be relied upon to confirm production information reported. The assessment amount is ten cents per barrel produced up to 10,000 barrels per location for an affected producer, as stated in the statute.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.89.070 and 15.89.110, Washington beer commission and chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In accordance with RCW 15.89.110, the commission is directed to adopt rules prescribing the time, place and method of payment and collection of the assessment from affected producers. The proposed rules will establish the first and subsequent production timeframes for which assessments owing the Washington beer commission will be imposed and what information will be relied upon to confirm production information.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Notice of this subject as well as possible notices for public hearing will be distributed and individuals will be encouraged to provide testimony regarding the matter.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Arlen Harris, Executive Director, 2323 9th Avenue S.W., #2-103, Olympia, WA 98502, phone (360) 391-1232, arlen@washingtonbeer.com.
January 22, 2007
George Hancock
Chair