WSR 14-05-096

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 19, 2014, 9:36 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-401 WAC, Nursery inspection fees. The department is considering adopting a ten cent per vine annual assessment limit on grapevines as a result of a petition submitted by the Washington association of wine grape growers. This is not a fee increase.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.13.310, 15.14.015, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The grapevine assessment was initially implemented in 2004 to provide funding for improving the foundation vineyard at Washington State University and to support grapevine improvement projects. The current assessment is five percent on the gross sale price of the wholesale market value for all grapevine propagation material. Currently, grapevines sold are self-rooted. If the industry changes to grafted grapevines, the five percent assessment collected could increase because grafted grapevines sell for a higher price. This could put Washington stock at a competitive disadvantage. Putting a ten cent per vine cap on the assessment amount should ensure the industry remains competitive and provide adequate income to support grapevine related improvement projects.

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 Brad White, Acting 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 bwhite@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.

February 19, 2014

Brad White

Acting Assistant Director