Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial shellfish fees; the department of health (department) is considering exploring options and amending the fee structure in WAC 246-282-990 for annual shellfish operation license fees and annual biotoxin testing fees to minimize impacts on small businesses.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 69.30.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department will consider ways to minimize impacts on small businesses. The rules may explore alternative fee structures aimed at alleviating the financial strain on small commercial shellfish businesses, while adhering to RCW 43.70.110 and 43.70.250. The goal is to ensure the fees adequately cover the costs of administering the program or license, and foster the sustainability of small commercial shellfish businesses.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Zehra Siddiqui, P.O. Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7820, phone 360-236-3010, TTY 711, email zehra.siddiqui@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The department will use a collaborative rule-making approach by keeping interested parties informed of the rule development through email and posting information on the department's rule-making websites. Interested parties will have the opportunity to provide comments throughout the rule-making process and at the public hearing. Please contact Zehra Siddiqui at zehra.siddiqui@doh.wa.gov to be added to the applicable interested parties list.