PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-607 WAC, Inspection and identification of livestock, the department is planning to initiate rule making to implement chapter 326, Laws of 2003 (SSB 5891) requirements that were unanimously passed by the 2003 legislature and signed by Governor Locke on May 16, 2003. In addition, the department, in response to Executive Order 97-02, will rewrite chapter 16-607 WAC in a clear and readable format based upon clear rule-writing principles.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.57, 16.58, 16.65, and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments to chapter 16-607 WAC are necessary to bring the department's livestock identification rules into compliance with chapter 326, Laws of 2003 (SSB 5891). The rewriting of chapter 16-607 WAC according to clear rule-writing principles is in response to the "clarity" criteria in Executive Order 97-02 and the mandate in RCW 34.05.220(5) that requires "to the extent practicable, any rule proposed or adopted by an agency should be clearly and simply stated, so that it can be understood by those required to comply."
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is the only agency that regulates the subject of chapter 16-607 WAC.
Process for Developing New Rule: The WSDA director, through her designated representative and in compliance with RCW 16.57.015(2), will develop proposed rule language in consultation with the Livestock Identification Advisory Board. Interested parties may make suggestions regarding proposed rule amendments to Leslie Alexander at the address listed below or to members of the Livestock Identification Advisory Board. Interested parties may also submit comments on proposed rule amendments during the formal public comment period and may participate in the public hearing process. The dates of the formal public comment period and of the public hearing will be announced when the department files its CR-102.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Leslie Alexander, Assistant Program Manager, Livestock Identification Program, 1111 Washington Street, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1855 or (509) 545-8816, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail lalexander@agr.wa.gov.
June 18, 2003
Kathryn Kravit-Smith
Assistant Director