WSR 98-18-044

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed August 28, 1998, 2:48 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Hops bales and tare.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 19.94.190.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule would specify tare weights for the materials used in baling hops. This rule would also provide a standard for tare weights used by the Washington hops industry.

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 agency will consult with the Washington Hop Commission.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jerry Buendel, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1856, fax (360) 902-2086, e-mail jbuendel@agr.wa.gov.

August 28, 1998

Julie C. Sandberg

Assistant Director