WSR 97-24-006

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed November 21, 1997, 11:02 a.m.]

Date of Adoption: November 21, 1997.

Purpose: The goals of the amendments are to provide sufficient revenue to effectively administer and enforce the Organic Food Products Act, chapter 15.86 RCW.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-156-060.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 15.86 RCW.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 97-20-077 on September 26, 1997.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

November 21, 1997

James M. Jesernig

Director

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 6011, filed 12/20/96, effective 1/20/97)

WAC 16-156-060 Fee schedule. (1) The cost per application shall be based on the following fee schedule.

For renewal applicants -

Application fees shall be based on the previous calendar year's gross sales of organic and transition to organic food. In the event that the current calendar year's gross sales exceed the previous year's gross sales, the department may bill the producer for the additional fee. In the event that the current calendar year's gross sales is less than the previous year's gross sales, the producer may request a refund for the reduced fee. In addition, renewal applications postmarked after March 1, shall pay a late fee of fifty dollars.

For new applicants -

Application fees shall be based on an estimate of the current year's gross sales of organic and transition to organic food. In the event that the current calendar year's gross sales exceed the estimate, the department may bill the producer for the additional fee. In the event that the current calendar year's gross sales is less than the estimate, the producer may request a refund for the reduced fee. In addition, new applicants pay a seventy-five dollar new applicant fee. The fee shall accompany the application.

Gross Sales Annual Fee

$ 0 - $ 12,000 (($ 150))

$ 165

$ 12,001 - $ 15,000 (($ 185))

$ 200

$ 15,001 - $ 20,000 (($ 200))

$ 220

$ 20,001 - $ 25,000 (($ 250))

$ 275

$ 25,001 - $ 30,000 (($ 300))

$ 330

$ 30,001 - $ 35,000 (($ 350))

$ 385

$ 35,001 - $ 42,500 (($ 425))

$ 465

$ 42,501 - $ 50,000 (($ 500))

$ 550

$ 50,001 - $ 65,000 (($ 600))

$ 660

$ 65,001 - $ 80,000 (($ 750))

$ 825

$ 80,001 - $ 100,000 (($ 900))

$ 990

$ 100,001 - $ 125,000 (($ 1,000))

$ 1,100

$ 125,001 - $ 150,000 (($ 1,044))

$ 1,150

$ 150,001 - $ 175,000 (($ 1,200))

$ 1,320

$ 175,001 - $ 200,000 (($ 1,251))

$ 1,375

$ 200,001 - $ 240,000 (($ 1,400))

$ 1,540

$ 240,001 - $ 280,000 (($ 1,450))

$ 1,595

$ 280,001 - $ 325,000 (($ 1,500))

$ 1,650

$ 325,001 - $ 375,000 (($ 1,565))

$ 1,720

$ 375,001 - $ 425,000 (($ 2,000))

$ 2,200

$ 425,001 - $ 500,000 (($ 2,089))

$ 2,300

$ 500,001 - $ 750,000 (($ 2,500))

$ 2,750

$ 750,001 and up (($ 2,611))

$ 2,000

plus one-tenth

of one percent

(0.10%) of gross

organic sales

((As of December 1, 1997 for gross sales:

$ 0 - $ 12,000 $ 150

$ 12,001 - $ 15,000 $ 185

$ 15,001 - $ 20,000 $ 200

$ 20,001 - $ 25,000 $ 250

$ 25,001 - $ 30,000 $ 300

$ 30,001 - $ 35,000 $ 350

$ 35,001 - $ 42,500 $ 425

$ 42,501 - $ 50,000 $ 500

$ 50,001 - $ 65,000 $ 600

$ 65,001 - $ 80,000 $ 750

$ 80,001 - $ 100,000 $ 900

$ 100,001 - $ 125,000 $ 1,000

$ 125,001 - $ 150,000 $ 1,085

$ 150,001 - $ 175,000 $ 1,200

$ 175,001 - $ 200,000 $ 1,300

$ 200,001 - $ 240,000 $ 1,400

$ 240,001 - $ 280,000 $ 1,450

$ 280,001 - $ 325,000 $ 1,500

$ 325,001 - $ 375,000 $ 1,625

$ 375,001 - $ 425,000 $ 2,000

$ 425,001 - $ 500,000 $ 2,171

$ 500,001 - $ 750,000 $ 2,500

$ 750,001 and up $ 2,714))

(2) Two inspections per year within the state of Washington are provided for under the above fee schedule. Additional inspections (in addition to two inspections provided for), if required for certification or maintenance of certification by the director, or requested by the producer, shall be at (($20/hr.)) $30/hr. plus mileage set at the rate established by the state office of financial management.

Out-of-state inspections, if necessary or requested, shall be at the rate of (($20/hr.)) $30/hr. plus transportation costs.

(3) One sample per year is provided for under the above fee schedule. Additional samples (in addition to one sample provided for), if required for certification or maintenance of certification by the director, or requested by the organic producer, shall cost an additional lab fee of one hundred ten dollars. If an additional visit must be arranged to obtain a sample, it shall be at (($20/hr.)) $30/hr. plus mileage set at the rate established by the state office of financial management.