WSR 02-03-127

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed January 23, 2002, 10:00 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-303-200 Seed program testing fees, 16-303-210 Fees for special seed tests, 16-303-230 Official seed sampling or similar service, 16-303-250 Miscellaneous charges for seed services, 16-303-300 Phytosanitary certification of seed -- Fees, 16-303-310 Organization for economic cooperation and development scheme for varietal certification (OECD) fees, 16-303-317 Annual and rough bluegrass quarantine fees, 16-303-320 Certification fees for seed certified by the department except grasses, and 16-303-330 Certification fees for grass seed.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3) and chapter 34.05 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal is intended to assure that fees charged for seed program services are sufficient to recover operating costs. Seed certification fees, laboratory analysis fees and miscellaneous fees for alfalfa, grass, vegetable and other minor seed crops would be increased by the fiscal growth rate factor for the fiscal year 2002.

     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 fee increase proposal will be developed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture seed program manager with input from the industry through a Seed Program Advisory Committee.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Graydon Robinson, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Seed Program, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, phone (509) 225-2630, fax (509) 454-4395.

January 22, 2002

Robert W. Gore

Assistant Director

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