WSR 14-13-076

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 16, 2014, 8:21 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Creation of new rules for issuing licenses and conducting inspections of pass-through food distribution operators.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 98, Laws of 2014 (ESSB 6388), chapters 69.07 and 69.04 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: On March 27, 2014, the governor signed ESBB [ESSB] 6388, an act relating to pass-through food distributors. The act requires the department to adopt, by rule, requirements for pass-through food distributors and develop a new direct food license and inspection program. Therefore, these rules are necessary to implement the new legislation and establish the program.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state department of health, local health jurisdictions.

Process for Developing New Rule: The agency is developing the rule in coordination with stakeholders.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Claudia Coles, Administrator, Office of Compliance and Outreach, Food Safety and Consumer Services Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-2560, e-mail ccoles@agr.wa.gov.

June 16, 2014

Kirk Robinson

Assistant Director