Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Washington State Agricultural Enabling Act, chapter 15.65 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Candidates for membership on the board of the Cranberry Commission are currently nominated during annual meetings held in the district in which the vacancy occurs. This rule change will allow nominations to be conducted by mail petitions, if recommended by the board and approved by the director of agriculture. The mail petition procedure will save the commission and the Department of Agriculture staff time and money.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington State Agricultural Enabling Act of 1961 and the cranberry marketing order, chapter 16-565 WAC, authorizes the board of the Cranberry Commission to adopt rules of administrative nature subject to the procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Walter Swenson, Agricultural Programs Administrator, Washington Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1928, FAX (360) 902-2092. A public hearing will be set to give interested parties an opportunity to participate and comment on the proposed rule change.

June 17, 1998

Walter Swenson

Agricultural Programs Administrator