PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Adoption of current uniform rules that have been developed by the National Conference on Weights and Measures. The uniform rules are in the form of handbooks, specifically National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44, NIST Handbook 130, and National Bureau of Standards Handbook 133 with supplements. The handbooks provide specifications, technical requirements, tolerances and procedures relative to weights and measures.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 19.94.195, 19.94.150, 19.94.350.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule would clarify and update Washington's legal requirements to conform with the standards and practices contained in the national handbooks.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The agency will consult with the Weights and Measures Advisory Group.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jerry Buendel, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1856, fax (360) 902-2086, e-mail jbuendel@agr.wa.gov.
November 17, 2000
Candace A. Jacobs, DVM, MPH
Assistant Director