Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In response to a petition for rule making, the department of agriculture (department) is proposing to clarify current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 43.01.160 requires state agencies to use gender-neutral terms in rules unless a specification of gender is intended. Replacing gender-specific terminology supports the department's commitment to integrate inclusive policies and procedures as outlined in the department's 22-25 strategic plan.

Gender-inclusive pronouns are pronouns that are not specifically gendered and can be utilized when referring to each other in the third person. They are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people. Using gender-neutral pronouns can help create a more inclusive and welcoming environment and show respect for people's gender identities.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: The amendments in this proposal meet the criteria for expedited rule making specified in RCW 34.05.353 (1)(c) by clarifying the rule, without changing its effect, by replacing gender-specific pronouns with gender-inclusive pronouns.

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, 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 October 22, 2024.

(1) "Communicable disease" means a disease due to a specific infectious agent or its toxic products transmitted from an infected person, animal or inanimate reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly through an intermediate plant or animal host, vector or the environment.

(2) "Contagious disease" means a communicable disease that is capable of being easily transmitted from one animal to another animal or a human.

(3) "Director" means the director of agriculture of the state of Washington or ((his or her))their authorized representative.

(4) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.

(5) "Infectious disease" means a clinical disease of humans or animals resulting from an infection with an infectious agent that may or may not be communicable or contagious.

(6) "Livestock" means horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, ratites, poultry, waterfowl, game birds and other species designated by statute. "Livestock" does not mean free ranging wildlife as defined in Title 77 RCW.

Owners must furnish adequate facilities to assure convenient and safe procedures in conducting all tests. The required facilities may include corrals, chutes, stanchions and/or squeeze chutes as deemed necessary by the director or ((his))their duly authorized representative.