PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 458-20-244 ((Food
products.)) Food and food ingredients.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 82.01.060 and 82.32.300.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 458-20-244 provides guidelines for determining if the sale of a food or food ingredient is subject to retail sales tax. In 2003, the legislature adopted the food definitions set forth in the national Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. The 2003 amendments to these statutes significantly change how sales of food and food ingredients are taxed on and after January 1, 2004. This rule provides guidance on the new food definitions and their tax implications.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Modified negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail, e-mail, fax, or at the public meeting. Oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. A preliminary discussion draft of a possible new or revised rule(s) is available upon request. Written comments on and/or requests for copies of the draft may be directed to Cindy Evans, Legislation and Policy, P.O. Box 47467, Olympia, WA 98504-7467, phone (360) 570-6134, fax (360) 664-0693, e-mail cindyev@dor.wa.gov.
Date and Location of Public Meeting: Capital Plaza Building, 4th Floor Large Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on August 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sandy Davis no later than ten days before the hearing date, TTY 1-800-451-7985 or (360) 570-6175.
July 9, 2003
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator
Legislation and Policy Division