Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=16-730&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-10-20 19:50:48
Document Index: 709072364

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16']

Chapter 16-730 WAC:
WACs > Title 16 > Chapter 16-730
Last Update: 6/28/05
ASPARAGUS EQUIPMENT LEASE PROGRAM
16-730-005 What is the purpose of the asparagus equipment lease program?
16-730-007 How does the department ensure that program participants comply with the program's purpose?
16-730-010 What definitions are important to this chapter?
16-730-015 How will the asparagus equipment leasing program be administered?
16-730-020 Who is eligible to participate in the asparagus equipment leasing program?
16-730-025 How does an eligible asparagus handler/packer apply to the equipment leasing program?
16-730-030 When will an applicant know if they have been approved to participate in the equipment leasing program?
16-730-035 If an application is denied, can the applicant request a review of the director's decision?
16-730-040 If an applicant's initial application is disapproved, can the applicant reapply to the equipment leasing program?
16-730-045 What is the process the program will follow to distribute equipment leasing money to approved applicants?
16-730-050 How will the program's equipment leasing money be allocated in 2004?
16-730-055 For the initial leasing program, what are the base distribution amounts for each category of handler/packers?
16-730-060 What requirements apply to equipment leasing program lease agreements?
16-730-062 What happens if an approved handler/packer defaults on a lease?
16-730-065 How long will the initial asparagus equipment leasing program be in operation?
16-730-070 Who develops the depreciation schedules for the program's leased equipment?
16-730-075 Will the equipment used in the asparagus equipment leasing program be offered for sale to the handler/packer who leased it?
16-730-005
What is the purpose of the asparagus equipment lease program?
(1) The Washington state department of agriculture is establishing the asparagus equipment lease program to implement section 308(10), chapter 276, Laws of 2004 (ESHB 2459), which directs the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) to purchase agricultural products packing equipment and to negotiate an appropriate agreement with the agricultural industry for the use of that equipment.
(2) The asparagus equipment lease program allows Washington state packers and handlers of Washington asparagus to lease with an opportunity to purchase automated labor saving equipment that will strengthen their postharvest efforts to efficiently handle or pack fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-005, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-007
To ensure that program participants are in compliance with the terms of the program and to ensure that the leased equipment is being used only to pack and process fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus, the participating handlers must, during each year of their participation, give the department or its agent a letter:
(2) Summarizing the cost and labor savings for that year.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-007, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-010
"Applicant" means any person who applies to participate in the equipment leasing program and commercially handles 250,000 pounds or more of asparagus in the calendar year that they apply.
"Approved handler/packer" means any asparagus handler and/or packer who has submitted an equipment leasing program application to the department and has been approved by the department to participate in the program.
"Automation" means the technique and equipment used to bring about automatic operation and control of a process.
"Handler/packer" means a person who sells, arranges for sale, represents, processes, distributes or packages fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.
"Facility" means any place where fresh asparagus is prepared, handled and packaged as fresh, frozen, or pickled for sale.
"Labor saving" means actions, activities or processes designed to decrease the amount of human labor needed to prepare, handle or package fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.
"Leasing" means to obtain the use of asparagus handling or packing equipment through the asparagus equipment leasing program.
"Packing equipment" means equipment associated with the activities of the postharvest handler/packer of fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.
"Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association engaged in handling and/or packing fresh, frozen or pickled Washington state asparagus.
"Review committee" means a group of five to seven people representing the department and the Washington asparagus commission staff and members and one at large agricultural representative who is neither directly affiliated with the asparagus industry nor any of the equipment leasing program applicants. The purpose of the committee is to review equipment leasing program applications.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-010, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-015
How will the asparagus equipment leasing program be administered?
The director or the director's designee will administer the asparagus equipment leasing program according to the rules of this chapter. If necessary, the program administrator, following the rule-making procedures in chapter 34.05 RCW (Administrative Procedure Act), may develop and implement additional rules or guidelines to ensure that this program is successful in achieving its purpose.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-015, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-020
Who is eligible to participate in the asparagus equipment leasing program?
To be eligible to participate in the asparagus equipment leasing program, a postharvest asparagus handler must:
(1)(a) Pack a minimum of 250,000 pounds of fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus in Washington in the calendar year in which they apply; and
(b) Provide documentation verifying the 250,000 pounds. Verification can include asparagus commission assessments or other industry accepted documentation.
(2) Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and rules related to doing business in Washington and handling food products.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-020, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-025
How does an eligible asparagus handler/packer apply to the equipment leasing program?
(1) Eligible handler/packers can obtain an equipment leasing program application by contacting:
Asparagus Leasing Program
(e) A description of the equipment to be leased and its cost;
(f) A description of how the leased equipment will automate their postharvest operation and how it will reduce postharvest labor costs; and
(g) The pounds of asparagus processed for the period of years identified on the application and documentation verifying the pounds processed.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-025, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-030
When will an applicant know if they have been approved to participate in the equipment leasing program?
(1) The department, in consultation with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and the industry at large, will establish application deadlines, application review dates and dates for notifying applicants if they have been accepted to participate in the equipment lease program.
(2) The process for reviewing and approving application is as follows:
(a) The review committee will review all applications and recommend approved applicants to the director.
(b) The director will review the review committee's recommendations.
(c) Once the director approves the recommended applicants, applicants will be notified of the results within five working days of the director's decision.
(3) The department may implement additional application cycles as needed in order to insure that handler/packers may fully participate in the program.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-030, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-035
If an application is denied, can the applicant request a review of the director's decision?
(1) An applicant whose application has been denied by the director may request a review of the director's decision. The request for review must:
(a) Specify the date of the decision or action being appealed;
(b) Explain as precisely as possible the issue to be resolved by the administrative review;
(2) Administrative reviews of denied applications will follow an informal process conducted by the director's designee.
(a) The review will be completed within thirty days after receipt of the review request.
(b) Once the review is completed, the department has ten days to inform the handler of the review decision.
(3) The rights of the department provided in this section are exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-035, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-040
If an applicant's initial application is disapproved, can the applicant reapply to the equipment leasing program?
(1) Program applicants whose initial application was denied have ten days from the date they received the director's decision denying their application to reapply.
(2) Applicants must reapply by following the procedures outlined in WAC 16-730-025.
(3) When reapplying, the applicant must request different equipment and/or a different mix of equipment from that listed on their original application.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-040, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-045
What is the process the program will follow to distribute equipment leasing money to approved applicants?
The program's equipment leasing money will be distributed indirectly to approved applicants as follows:
(1) The department, in consultation with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and the asparagus industry at large, will determine the amount of equipment leasing money allocated to each approved applicant and then distribute this money to a department approved equipment leasing company.
(2) The approved leasing company will then purchase the equipment and subsequently lease it to an approved applicant.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-045, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-050
How will the program's equipment leasing money be allocated in 2004?
(1) The initial allocation of equipment leasing money for 2004 will be distributed based upon documented annual average pounds of asparagus an approved handler/packer reported from 2001 through 2004.
If additional application cycles are needed to administer current and future equipment lease allocations and distributions, the department may adjust the initial four-year annual average production period (2001-2004).
(2)(a) Unless the department, in consultation with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and the asparagus industry at large, determines that the allocation formula be changed, all approved applicants will receive either a base amount of at least $75,000 for their initial 2004-program allocation or an amount adjusted to reflect an appropriate base for future program offerings.
(b) If the department does change the allocation formula, it will notify the Washington state asparagus industry and, specifically, Washington state asparagus handler/packers.
(3) The department has developed the following categories to help allocate the equipment lease program's initial 2004 offering:
Handler/Packer Categories*
Pounds of Asparagus Handled Annually
Less than 1,000,000 pounds
1,000,000 to 2,000,000 pounds
2,000,001 to 5,000,000 pounds
*Note: These categories could change. If they do, the department will notify asparagus handler/packers and the industry.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-050, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-055
For the initial leasing program, what are the base distribution amounts for each category of handler/packers?
The department will always work with the review committee to assure that the distributions to approved applicants are fair and equitable and based on the pounds processed formula.
(1) The final handler/packer allocation for 2004 is illustrated in the following table:
Handler/Packer Size
Dollar Allocation per Handler/Packer
(2) Future distributions will be determined by the:
(a) Amount of program funds available after all administrative and contract-leasing costs are subtracted from the total program allocation received from the legislature; and
(b) Number of participants in the program; and
(c) Department consultations with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and the asparagus industry at large.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-055, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-060
(1) The department will follow office of financial management (OFM) procurement guidelines when selecting a leasing company to act as its agent to purchase and manage all equipment leasing arrangements for all approved handler/packers.
(2) All approved handler/packers will complete a lease agreement with the department approved leasing firm.
(a) Must be exclusive to the approved handler/packers for the term of the contract with the leasing company; and
(5) In addition to the leasing requirements contained in this chapter, the department, in its contract with the leasing company, will include other lease requirements that approved handler/packers must follow.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-060, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-062
What happens if an approved handler/packer defaults on a lease?
(1) If an approved handler/packer defaults on a lease agreement, the department retains ownership of the equipment and will make the equipment available to other asparagus handlers through a selection process determined by the department in consultation with the Washington asparagus commission, the Washington asparagus council and asparagus industry representatives.
(2) The selection process used by the department to redistribute defaulted lease equipment to approved handler/packers must comply with any applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-062, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-065
How long will the initial asparagus equipment leasing program be in operation?
(1) How long the initial equipment leasing program will be in operation will be determined by:
(i) Surplus and transfer equipment; and
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-065, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-070
The department, with final approval from OFM, will develop depreciation schedules for the program's leased equipment. These schedules will be based upon the characteristic economic useful lives of asparagus processing and handling equipment used by the industry.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-070, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]
16-730-075
Will the equipment used in the asparagus equipment leasing program be offered for sale to the handler/packer who leased it?
(1) At the end of its depreciation period, the equipment leased to a handler/packer will be declared "surplus" and offered for sale to the handler/packer or their designee.
(2) If a handler/packer wants to sell their leased equipment to a designee, they must complete a designee form and have the form approved by the department.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.04 and 34.05 RCW, 2004 c 276. WSR 05-14-049, § 16-730-075, filed 6/28/05, effective 7/29/05.]