WSR 99-02-062
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
WINE COMMISSION
[Filed January 6, 1999, 10:23 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending the rate of assessments levied on wine and wine grapes to increase funding for programs of the Wine Commission.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 66.24.215 and chapter 303, Laws of 1997.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington Wine Commission collects assessments on wine and wine grapes produced in the state to fund advertising and promotional programs. The costs of these programs have increased substantially since the current assessment rate went into effect in 1989. The assessment rate increase is necessary to maintain and expand markets for Washington wines.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington Liquor Control Board collects assessments on sales of packaged Washington wine and remits to the Washington Wine Commission.
Process for Developing New Rule: The increase in assessments are subject to approval by a majority of the wine producers and wine grape growers in a referendum supervised by the Department of Agriculture.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Steve Burns, Executive Director, Washington Wine Commission, 500 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101, phone (206) 667-9463, fax (206) 583-0593. Public hearings will be held to give interested parties the opportunity to participate and comment on the proposed rule.
December 20, 1998
Steve Burns
Executive Director
Wine Commission