Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17.]040, [49.17.]050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 1998 legislature passed 2SSB 6168 (chapter 37, Laws of 1998) requiring the agency to adopt rules "requiring electricity in all temporary worker housing and establishing minimum requirements to ensure the safe storage, handling, and preparation of food in these camps, regardless of whether individual or common cooking facilities are in use.".

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal OSHA also regulates this subject. We must maintain rules that are at least as effective as those enforced by federal OSHA.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will mail a proposed rule to everyone on our mailing list for agriculture rules and ask for comments on the proposal. We will develop the public hearing proposal based on the comments and receive further 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 Laura Brand-Bauer, Project Manager, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, phone (360) 902-4504, FAX (360) 902-5529.

April 24, 1998

Gary Moore

Director