WSR 15-09-124

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed April 21, 2015, 11:38 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-401 WAC, Nursery inspection fees and chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine—Agricultural pests. The department is considering increasing the fees for: Nursery dealer licenses, requested inspections, plant sale permits, plant pest inspections, post entry quarantine site inspections, witnessing fumigations, phytosanitary certification of exports, compliance agreements, and other certificates/documents.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.13.260, 15.13.280, 15.14.015, 17.24.131, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These rules establish the fees charged by the plant services program for activities authorized in chapters 15.13, 15.14, and 17.24 RCW. The program's revenue is almost solely derived from inspection, testing, and license fees. An increase in fees would enable the program to cover the costs associated with actually performing these activities. The increase in revenue is necessary for the financial stability of the program.

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, 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; and Cindy Cooper, Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-2062, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail ccooper@agr.wa.gov.

April 21, 2015

Brad White

Assistant Director