PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to chapter 16-401 WAC, Nursery inspection fees.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.13 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments to chapter 15.13 RCW from the 2002 legislative session authorize the department to collect an assessment on grapevine nursery stock sold in the state. The amendments also authorize rule making to set the rate of the assessment.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: As described in HB 2289, section 2, an advisory committee will be established to advise in the administration of the grapevine certification and nursery improvement program. The Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives will discuss the issue with this committee and other affected stakeholders and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, Twessels@agr.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094.
July 3, 2002
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director