WAC 16-301-120   Arbitration committee.  The director shall create a seed arbitration committee composed of five members, including the director, or a department of agriculture employee as his or her designee, and four members. Four alternates shall also be appointed by the director according to the requirements of RCW 15.49.111.

     (1) Each alternate member shall serve only in the absence of the member for whom the person is an alternate.

     (2) The arbitration committee shall elect a chairperson and a secretary from among its members.

     (a) The chairperson shall conduct meetings and deliberations of the committee and direct its other activities.

     (b) The secretary shall keep accurate records of all meetings and deliberations and perform other duties as assigned by the chairperson.

     (3) The committee shall be called into session at the direction of the director or the chairperson.

     (4) The members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their duties but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses according to established state travel and per diem rates. Expense reimbursement shall be borne equally by the parties to the arbitration.

     (5) A committee member, delegated with investigative responsibilities outside of the hearing under WAC 16-318-395, may not participate in making the final decision and award.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, 15.49.081, 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3) and chapter 17.24 RCW. 00-24-077, § 16-301-120, filed 12/4/00, effective 1/4/01.]