EMERGENCY RULES
Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: Emergency rule findings are required; see below.
Purpose: WAC 458-20-210 explains the application of business and occupation (B&O), retail sales, and use taxes to the sale and/or use of feed, seed, fertilizer, spray materials, and other tangible personal property for farming. This rule also explains the application of B&O, retail sales, and litter taxes to the sale of agricultural products by farmers.
One of the issues discussed [in] Rule 210 is the tax incentives provided for reducing agricultural burning of cereal grain and grass fields. Chapter 420, Laws of 2005, made a number of changes to the tax incentives. These changes are effective July 1, 2005. The department has adopted a new WAC 458-20-271 so [to] explain the tax incentives to reduce agricultural burning. The information on the tax incentives for periods prior to the legislative change has been removed from Rule 210 and incorporated into Rule 271.
The department has adopted the new Rule 271 and a revised Rule 210 on an emergency basis to recognize the legislative change. The department plans to proceed with rule making for a permanent new Rule 271 and a more complete revision of a permanent Rule 210.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-210 Sales of agricultural products by farmers.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300 and 82.01.060(1).
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: An emergency adoption of a new Rule 271 and revised Rule 210 is necessary because permanent rules cannot be adopted before the July 1, 2005, effective date. This rule action will provide needed tax information to taxpayers and department staff about the change in the retail sales and use tax exemption provided for reducing agricultural burning.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 30, 2005.
Janis P. Bianchi, Manager
Interpretations and
Technical Advice Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 05-15 issue of the Register.