Purpose: Rules are needed in order to implement budget direction from the legislature to assist in maintaining a viable asparagus industry in this state.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.04.402 and ESHB 2459.

     Other Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: To allow for program to proceed and develop permanent rules.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 10, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 10, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: January 10, 2005.

William E. Brookreson

Deputy Director

OTS-7742.1

     (2) The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the purchase of automated labor saving equipment that will strengthen the asparagus post harvest industry, which includes fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.

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     (2) "Approved" means any packer or handler who has submitted an application to the department and met the criteria for participating in the equipment-leasing program.

     (3) "Automation" means the technique and equipment used to bring about automatic operation and control of a process.

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

     (5) "Director" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.

     (6) "Handler" means to sell, arrange for the sale of, represent, process, distribute or package fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.

     (7) "Facility" includes, but is not limited to, any premises, plan, establishment, facilities and the appurtenances thereto, in whole or in part, where fresh asparagus is prepared, handled and packaged fresh, frozen, or pickled for sale.

     (8) "Labor saving" means actions or activities designed to decrease the amount of human labor needed.

     (9) "Leasing" means to grant or obtain use of equipment through the asparagus equipment-leasing program.

     (10) "Packing equipment" means equipment associated with the post harvest fresh, frozen and pickled asparagus handler.

     (11) "Program administrator" means the department of agriculture.

     (12) "Review Committee" means a group of five to seven persons representing the department, asparagus commission staff and members, and an agricultural representative not directly affiliated with the industry nor any of the applicants.

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     (2) Handlers and their facilities must meet all applicable federal, state, and local laws and rules related to doing business in Washington and handling food products.

     (3) Handlers must obtain and file an application with the department that includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

     (a) Documentation of their business information including the ability to insure proposed equipment;

     (b) Intent and ability to participate in the program;

     (c) Ability to provide for the necessary upkeep and maintenance of the leased equipment;

     (d) Description of the equipment to be leased;

     (e) Description of how it will automate the handler's operation and what are the reductions in labor costs that will result; and

     (f) Pounds of asparagus processed for the period of years identified on the application with supporting documentation.

     (4) Handlers must identify what automated labor saving equipment associated with post harvest packing that they want to lease and the cost of the equipment in order to participate in the program. This equipment must automate their current packing process and reduce labor costs.

     (5) The schedule for application, review and selection of participants shall be determined by the department in consultation with the asparagus commission, council and industry. Additional application cycles may be implemented on an as needed basis in the future in order to insure full participation by handlers in the program.

     (6) Review of the application and awards will be completed by the review committee. Recommendations for approval from the committee will be reviewed and approved by the director of the department and applicants will be notified within five working days of the results.

     (7) Applicants may request a review of the decision. Reviews will follow an informal process conducted by the director's designee to resolve a request for review. The request for review shall:

     (a) Specify the date of the decision or action being appealed;

     (b) Specify as precisely as possible the issue to be resolved by the administrative review;

     (c) Include the address of the participant; and

     (d) Include a signature of the applicant.

     An administrative review will be conducted within thirty days after submission of the request for review and a conclusion provided to the participant within ten days. The rights of the department, provided in this section shall be exclusive and be in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law.

     (8) Applicants who were not approved for their initial equipment request may reapply to the department within ten days from the date the announcement of decisions was made for review by the review committee. When reapplying the handler must request equipment not included on the first application and/or a different mix of equipment from the original application.

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     (2) Benefits will be determined by the department in consultation with the asparagus commission, council and asparagus industry.

     (3) The initial benefits for 2004 will be distributed based on documented pounds handled over a four-year period. Appropriate documentation can include asparagus commission assessments and other accepted industry documentation. The initial benefits will be distributed based on an average of pounds documented per year reported from 2001 through 2004. The department to address any additional application cycles that may be held to administer current and future allocations may adjust the four-year period.

     (4) All eligible and approved applicants will receive a base amount of not less than $75,000 for the initial program offering in 2004 or an amount adjusted to reflect an appropriate base for future program offerings unless it is determined by the department in consultation with the asparagus commission, council and asparagus industry that the benefit distribution be changed. If the distribution formula is changed after consultation, the department will notify asparagus handlers and industry.

     (5) Categories are established for the initial offering that groups handlers into small, medium, large and extra large. These categories could change in future offerings and handlers and the industry will be notified by the department of any changes. The categories for this initial offering are as follows:

Small	less than 1 million pounds
Medium	1 to 2 million pounds
Large	2 to 5 million pounds
Extra Large	5 million and above

     (6) The base distribution for this first offering for a small handler(s) will be $75,000 per handler and no handler will receive greater than $195,000 for this current allocation. Allocation distribution other than the "small handler(s)" will be determined based on the amount of funds available after administrative and contract leasing costs are subtracted by the department from the total amount allocated. The department will work with the review committee to assure that the allocations are done based on the pounds processed formula in a fair and equitable manner. Each categories above the small handler will be adjusted by the following sequence:

     (a) Small to medium a minimum $20,000 increment adjustment;

     (b) Medium to large up to a $40,000 increment adjustment; and

     (c) Large to extra large up to a $60,000 increment adjustment.

     If the reduced allocation available is not adequate to accommodate the above sequence for this offering then an adjustment will be made to reflect a reduction to all increments of the formula except the small handler.

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     (2) All lease agreements shall be exclusive to the approved handler for the term of the contract with the leasing company and are nontransferable without the written approval of the department.

     (3) Lease agreements cannot be paid off in advance of the leasing company's contract termination date.

     (4) Other lease requirements for handlers will be identified in the department's contract with the leasing company and handlers will be required to follow any of the requirements in that contract.

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