WSR 15-05-073

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 17, 2015, 4:40 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The dairy products commission (DPC) is considering changes to chapter 142-30 WAC that would reduce the current assessment rate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 34.05 RCW, RCW 15.44.060, 15.44.080, 15.44.130.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington State Dairy Federation petitioned the DPC to begin the rule-making process to reduce the milk assessment rate set in chapter 142-30 WAC. The DPC board voted to begin the rule-making process. As part of the process, DPC will determine whether an assessment decrease is appropriate, the amount of the decrease, if any, and to what extent it may impact their ability to carry out their mission.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the commission will apprise the USDA of any proposed rules and seek comment as appropriate.

Process for Developing New Rule: Members of the DPC will develop the rule proposal following education-information gathering sessions with stakeholders. Interested parties can also participate in the formal public hearing/public comment process once the rule proposal is developed.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Janet C. Leister, Washington State Dairy Products Commission, 4201 198th Street S.W., Suite 101, Lynnwood, WA 98036, phone (425) 672-0687, fax (425) 672-0674.

February 17, 2015

Janet C. Leister

General Manager