The assessments on fresh apples shall be paid, or provision made therefor satisfactory to the commission, prior to shipment, and no fresh apples shall be carried, transported, or shipped by any person or by any carrier, railroad, truck, boat, or other conveyance until the assessment has been paid or provision made therefor satisfactory to the commission.

     The commission shall by rule prescribe the method of collection, and for that purpose may require stamps to be known as "Washington apple stamps" to be purchased from the commission and attached to the containers, invoices, shipping documents, inspection certificates, releases, or receiving receipts or tickets. Rule-making procedures conducted under this section are exempt from the provisions of RCW 43.135.055 when adoption of the rule or rules is determined by a referendum vote of the persons taxed under this chapter.

     The commission may also collect assessments imposed under RCW 15.26.120, and in that event, the commission shall establish and be reimbursed by the Washington tree fruit research commission an amount representing a reasonable approximation of the actual costs to the commission of such collection.

[2004 c 178 § 12; 2002 c 313 § 124; 1967 c 240 § 29; 1961 c 11 §15.24.110 . Prior: 1937 c 195 § 12; RRS § 2874-12.]

NOTES:

     Effective dates -- 2002 c 313: See note following RCW 15.65.020.