WSR 20-10-018

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed April 27, 2020, 10:53 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 16-730 WAC, Asparagus equipment lease program; and chapter 16-731 WAC, Asparagus grower equipment lease program.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing to repeal chapter 16-730 WAC, Asparagus equipment lease program, which provides the procedural rules for the Washington state department of agriculture (department/DOA) to expend a one-time appropriation under section 308, chapter 276, Laws of 2004. The department is also proposing to repeal chapter 16-731 WAC, Asparagus grower equipment lease program, which provides the procedural rules for the department to expend another one-time appropriation under section 3217, chapter 520, Laws of 2007. The funds are expended and the programs no longer exist.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: In 2004, the Washington state legislature appropriated funds to the department to purchase packing equipment for agricultural products and to negotiate an agreement with the agricultural industry for the use of that equipment. The department implemented this directive by establishing procedural rules for the asparagus equipment leasing program under chapter 16-730 WAC. In 2007, the Washington state legislature appropriated additional funds to extend and expand the department's asparagus automation and mechanization program. The department implemented this directive by establishing procedural rules under chapter 16-731 WAC. The asparagus equipment lease program was intended as a time-limited program. No additional funds have been appropriated for the purchase of new equipment and the asparagus industry agrees that this program is no longer necessary. Therefore, rules are no longer needed.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.17.060.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 43.17 RCW.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: DOA, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Teresa Norman, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, 360-902-2043; Enforcement: Hannah Flournoy, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, 360-902-1809.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited repeal process for these rules:

The rule is no longer necessary because of changed circumstances.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: These chapters of WAC provide the procedural rules for the department to expend two, one-time appropriations from the Washington state legislature to implement an asparagus equipment leasing program. The funds are expended and the programs no longer exist.

NOTICE

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Gloriann Robinson, Agency Rules Coordinator, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone 360-902-1802, fax 360-902-2092, email wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY July 6, 2020.

April 27, 2020

Jason Ferrante

Associate Deputy Director

The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed: