WSR 97-13-006

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

[Filed June 5, 1997, 2:09 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to WAC 292-110-010 Use of state resources.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 42.52 RCW, RCW 42.52.360 (2)(b), 42.52.160(3).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is responsible for enforcing chapter 42.52 RCW with regard to state officers and employees of the executive branch of state government. WAC 292-110-010 (5)(d) prohibits personal use of state computers unrelated to an official business purpose, regardless of whether or not there is no cost to the state. The board is seeking comments on whether this rule should be revised to permit limited personal use of computers as provided to employees of the legislative branch of state government in Legislative Ethics Board Rule 3.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: The board will request written comments from persons who may be interested in amending WAC 292-110-010 (5)(d). Comments received will be considered by the board before a proposed rule change is published pursuant to a formal notice.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting the Executive Ethics Board Secretary, 1125 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504-0100, (360) 664-0871.

Written comments must be received by August 15, 1997. These comments will be considered by the board at its September regular meeting. Thereafter, the board may proceed with rule making.

June 5, 1997

Barbara Cook