(1) All weighing or measuring devices used for commercial purposes in the state shall be registered annually. Devices in commercial use within a city having a city sealer and a weights and measures program that has adopted registration fees shall be registered with the city. Devices used commercially outside of such city shall register with the department. If the commercial use of the device is within such city that has not adopted fees, the device shall be registered with the department.

(2) The device registration fees established in RCW 19.94.175 shall apply unless a city jurisdiction has adopted separate registration fees for devices used within its jurisdiction. Cities may establish separate annual registration fees for devices within city jurisdictions; however, they may not exceed the fees in RCW 19.94.175 for registering the use of a similar instrument or device. Payment of the device registration fee constitutes registration. Cities shall notify the department of agriculture regarding the adoption of fee levels and any changes in fees.

(3) All device registrations with the department shall be accomplished as part of the department of licensing, master license system under chapter 19.02 RCW. Devices shall be initially registered at the time the owner applies for a master license for a new business or when the device is first placed into commercial use. Device registrations with a city may be accomplished through the master licensing system with a letter of request for implementation assistance from the city to the department of agriculture.

(4) The department of licensing shall remit to the department of agriculture all registration fees collected less reasonable collection expenses. The department of agriculture shall forward to the city that portion of fees attributable to city registrations.