PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Adjust the grain inspection program schedule of fees to reflect the allowable growth rates for Fiscal Year 2001 and Fiscal Year 2002 for selected hourly fees, hourly based unit fees, submitted sample fees, other unit fees, and to incorporate a variable export tonnage rate scale for export locations. Redefine grain inspection program charging practices associated with call back and weekly averaging procedures. Improve readability and clarity in the fee schedule, including improvement in the definition and availability of official commercial inspection services.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 22.09 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The WSDA grain inspection program is entirely fee supported. The fee adjustments are necessary to offset increases in employer portions of the health benefit in Fiscal Year 2002 (July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002) and Fiscal Year 2003 (July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003) and to address anticipated salary increases in Fiscal Year 2002 and Fiscal Year 2003. Modifications or replacement of existing equipment will also be necessary to accommodate changes in the requirements for official analysis of protein (artificial neural network capabilities) under GIPSA - FGIS (federal) rules, currently scheduled for Fiscal Year 2002 (May 2002).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration - Federal Grain Inspection Services (GIPSA - FGIS) must approve adjustment to the WSDA grain inspection program schedule of fees.
Process for Developing New Rule: Working with the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee and holding a public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Randall R. Deike, Grain Inspection Program Manager, Commodity Inspection Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1921, fax (360) 902-2085, TDD (360) 902-1996.
January 23, 2001
Robert W. Gore
Assistant Director
Commodity Inspection