PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine -- Agricultural pests, the department is considering increasing the fees for requested services performed under authority of chapter 17.24 RCW.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 17.24.131, chapter 34.05 RCW, and chapter 7, Laws of 2012 (3ESHB 2127).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal will increase fees for requested services authorized under chapter 17.24 RCW. Similar services performed for nursery facilities licensed under chapter 15.13 RCW will continue under the existing fee schedule outlined in chapter 16-401 WAC. Requested services affected by this increase include: Phytosanitary certification of exports, witnessing fumigations, postentry quarantine inspections, other field inspections, plant disease diagnostic testing, and associated document fees. The fee increases will offset increasing expenses and allow the program to balance the costs of providing requested services relative to its other activities. The increase in revenue is necessary for the financial stability of the program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; and Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.
August 1, 2012
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director