WSR 18-19-097
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed September 19, 2018, 8:09 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-305 WAC, Industrial hemp research program, the department is considering the following changes:
•Increasing industrial hemp research program licensing fees to include:
oA single grower or processor/marketer license fee increasing from $300 to approximately $7,500.
oA combination grower and processor/marketer license fee increasing from $300 to approximately $14,500.
oA seed distributor license fee increasing from $300 to approximately $7,500.
•Reducing the application fee for a combination (grower and processor) license from $800 to $450.
Additionally, the department is considering revising how application and licensing fees are calculated.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.120.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending WAC 16-305-220 to increase application and licensing fees for participation in the voluntary industrial hemp research program. The department is also considering revising how application and licensing fees are calculated. The current fee structure does not support the operational costs of the program. During the 2018 legislative session, the program received funding for one additional year. By increasing fees, the department aims for the industrial hemp research program to be self-sustaining so that it can operate beyond the one additional year funded by the legislature. By considering revising how application and licensing fees are calculated, the department can identify options that would ensure adequate funding for the program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department will provide notice of the proposed rules to federal agencies involved with regulating industrial hemp, such as United States Department of Agriculture and Drug Enforcement Agency, and to the state liquor and cannabis board and will consider timely comments from those agencies in the development of the proposed rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department will make available through its industrial hemp listserv (https://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=AGR-INDUSTRIAL-HEMP&A=1) and on its web site (https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/default.aspx) opportunities for interested parties to provide input on the subject of this rule making. 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 Jeff Larsen, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1960, fax 360-902-2085, TTY 711, email jlarsen@agr.wa.gov, web site https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/; or Rachel Furth, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1997, fax 360-902-2085, TTY 711, email rfurth@agr.wa.gov, web site https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking/.
September 19, 2018
Jessica Allenton
Assistant Director