PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-40-660 Timber excise tax -- Stumpage value tables.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 84.33.096, 82.32.300, and 82.01.060(2).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 84.33.091 requires the department to revise the stumpage value tables every six months. The department establishes stumpage value tables to apprise timber harvesters of the timber values used to calculate the timber excise tax. This valuation is for the 1st half of 2007 stumpage value adoption (WAC 458-40-660).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Although the United States Forest Service and Washington state department of natural resources both regulate forest practices, neither is involved in valuation for taxation purposes. The nontax processes and definitions are coordinated with these agencies to avoid conflict, but there should be no need to involve them in the valuation revisions provided in this rule.
Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in this rule making may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by providing written comments throughout this rule making or giving oral testimony at the public meeting or public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax, or at the public meeting. Oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. A preliminary draft of the proposed changes will be available upon request shortly before the public meeting. Written comments on and/or requests for copies of the rule may be directed to Mark Bohe, Interpretations and Technical Advice Division, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-47453 [98504-7453], e-mail markbohe@dor.wa.gov, phone (360) 570-6133, fax (360) 586-5543.
Public Meeting Location: Capital Plaza Building, 4th Floor, L&P Large Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on October 18, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.
August 29, 2006
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator