Subject of Possible Rule Making: The purpose of this rule making is to amend the rule of the Washington state hop commission. Proposed amendments will amend labeling requirements under WAC 16-532-120.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 16.65 RCW, specifically RCW 15.65.050, 15.65.330, and chapter 34.05 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington state hop commission is proposing to remove the requirement to stencil all hop bales with "WASHINGTON" or "GROWN IN WASHINGTON." Due to changes in downstream processing technology, very few hops leave the state in baled form. Reducing the bale stencil requirements will save growers the expense of applying the stencil, and will improve recycling of burlap bale cloth.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The proposal has been developed by the Washington state hop commission. Notice will be mailed to all producers who may be directly affected by this rule change. Interested parties can submit comments during the public comment period and can also participate during the public hearing process.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication, by contacting Ann George, Administrator, Washington State Hop Commission, P.O. Box 1207, Moxee, WA 98936, phone (509) 453-4749, fax (509) 457-8561, e-mail ann@wahops.org.

January 18, 2006

Ann E. George

Administrator