PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Food assistance programs.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 68, Laws of 2010.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2010 legislature passed chapter 68, Laws of 2010, which transfers the food assistance programs from the department of general administration and the department of commerce to the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA). The new law indicates that the department may adopt rules necessary to implement the food assistance programs. At this time, it is the department's intent to reflect the change in jurisdiction to WSDA by updating and transferring the existing language of chapter 365-140 WAC to a new chapter under TITLE 16 WAC.
Process for Developing New Rule: As changes are housekeeping in nature, WSDA staff will develop the rule proposal. Interested parties can participate in the public hearing and public comment process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ken Harden, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1932, fax (360) 902-2092.
June 11, 2010
Kennith R. Harden
Assistant Director