WSR 23-05-061
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
[Filed February 13, 2023, 9:17 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-40-610 Timber excise tax—Definitions and 458-40-660 Timber excise tax—Stumpage value tables—Stumpage value adjustments.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department anticipates amending WAC 458-40-610 to update the definition of "thinning."
RCW
84.33.091 requires the department of revenue to revise the stumpage value tables every six months. The department establishes stumpage value tables to apprise timber harvesters of the timber values used to calculate the timber excise tax. The department anticipates amending WAC 458-40-660 to provide valuations for the second half of 2023.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Although the United States Forest Service and Washington state department of natural resources both regulate forest practices, neither is involved in valuation for taxation purposes. The nontax processes and definitions are coordinated with these agencies to avoid conflict, but it is not necessary to involve them in the valuation revisions provided in this rule.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in this rule making may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by providing written comments throughout this rule making or giving oral testimony at the public meeting or public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tiffany Do, 6400 Linderson Way S.W., P.O. Box 47453, Tumwater, WA 98504, phone 360-534-1558, fax 360-534-1606, TTY 800-833-6384, email TiffanyD@dor.wa.gov.
Additional comments: A preliminary draft of possible rule changes will be available upon request shortly before the public meeting. Written comments may be submitted by email and should be directed to Tiffany Do using one of the contact methods above.
Written and oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting and until April 21, 2023. Meeting on April 18, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., telephonic/internet meeting only. Contact TiffanyD@dor.wa.gov for dial-in/login information.
February 13, 2023
Atif Aziz
Rules Coordinator