PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed May 21, 2019, 8:36 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-501 WAC, WSDA procedural rules—Commodity boards or commissions.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.23.033.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These rules establish the means by which agricultural commodity commissions fund the department's commodity commissions coordinator position. Amendments are needed to clarify definitions, to clarify that commodity commissions fund one-half full-time equivalent, to clarify on what a commission's contribution is based, and to provide additional time for a commission to remit the billed amount to the department. Making clarifications to the rules remove unintentional ambiguities, promote and increase clarity and usability, and reflect normal practices.

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 Teresa Norman, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-2043, fax 360-902-2092, TTY 800-833-6388, email tnorman@agr.wa.gov, web site www.agr.wa.gov.