WSR 14-21-039

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 7, 2014, 11:11 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-461 WAC, Inspection requirements for fruits and vegetables, the purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the inspection of fruits and vegetables and provide definitions for a commercial lot, fruit and produce stands, zone of production, certificate of compliance requirements and/or shipping permits requirements.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.17.030 Enforcement—Director's duties—Rules, 15.17.050 Rules—Authority of director, 15.17.060 Adoption of standards; chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending sections of this chapter and adding new sections to promote clarity regarding exemptions, shipping permits, certificates of compliance, compliance agreements, and penalties for violations.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the rule proposal and will communicate with stakeholders and other interested parties for their review and comment. Interested parties can also participate in the public hearing/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 Jeff Larsen, Commodity Inspection Division, Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1960, fax (360) 902-2085, jlarsen@agr.wa.gov.

October 7, 2014

Brad J. Avy

Assistant Director