Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of agriculture (department) is considering amending chapter 16-414 WAC, Washington standards for cherries.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.17.030 Enforcement—Director's duties—Rules, 15.17.050 Rules—Authority of director, and 15.17.060 Adoption of standards.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending chapter 16-414 WAC to align with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service Marketing Order 923. The department has received feedback from Washington's cherry industry on amending cherry sizing standards to best reflect marketability of Washington cherries.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will develop the rule proposal and communicate with stakeholders and other interested parties for their review and comment. Interested parties can also participate in the public hearing/public comment process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Timothy Estes, Division Rules Coordinator, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-485-1242, fax 360-902-2085, TTY 800-833-6388, email timothy.estes@agr.wa.gov, website https://agr.wa.gov/LawsRules/Rulemaking; or Robert Newell, Fruit and Vegetable Program Manager, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 226, Yakima, WA 98902, phone 509-952-6737, fax 509-575-2537, TTY 800-833-6388, email Robert.newell@agr.wa.gov, website https://agr.wa.gov/services/inspections-and-investigations/inspections/fruit-and-vegetable.