WSR 97-17-095

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed August 20, 1997, 9;41 a.m.]

Continuance of WSR 97-14-102.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-10-098.

Title of Rule: Chapter 16-580 WAC, Farmed Salmon Commission Commodity Board; assessments and collections.

Purpose: Reduce the assessment on farmed salmon from one cent per pound to one tenth of one cent (dressed head-on equivalent) and reduce the board membership from six to five.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.65.050.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 15.65 RCW.

Summary: The rule will reduce the assessment on farmed salmon raised in the state and reduce the board membership on the commission.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Agricultural commodity commissions may recommend amendments to the marketing order.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Walter Swenson, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 902-1928; Implementation and Enforcement: Pete Granger, P.O. Box 5305, Bellingham, WA 98227, (360) 671-1997.

Name of Proponent: Washington Farmed Salmon Commission Board, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule will reduce the assessment rate on farmed salmon from one cent ($.01) to one tenth of one cent ($.001) (head-on equivalent) produced collectively by the affected producers and reduce the board membership from six to five. The reduced assessment placed on Washington raised farmed salmon is in response to the world price situation on salmon products. The reduced board membership will provide more equitable producer representation on the commission.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The proposed rule will reduce the assessment rate on farmed salmon and reduce the board membership from six to five.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule will reduce cost to the producers.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is not a listed agency in section 201.

Date of Intended Adoption: October 1, 1997.

August 20, 1997

William E. Brookreson