PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Review of chapter 480-122 WAC relating to the Washington telephone assistance program (WTAP) including whether or not participation by CLECs, ILECs and resellers of local exchange service should remain voluntary. Participation by wireless carriers will also be considered.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 80.36.410, 80.36.420, and 80.66.010.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule review is a result of discussions with DSHS, which is in the process of revising its WTAP rules. The review will consider changes to existing rules to coordinate with DSHS.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: State Department of Social and Health Services and the Federal Communications Commission. The commission will invite those agencies to participate actively in the rule making.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments. The commission will schedule one or more workshops with representatives of affected constituencies in a manner designed to develop consensus among affected interests regarding any rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments in response to the CR-101 from persons interested in the subject matter of this proposed rule making may be filed with the commission secretary, referencing Docket No. UT-003074, not later than September 22, 2000. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file an original and ten copies of their written comments. The commission also requests, but does not require, that comments be provided on a 3 1/2 inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in .pdf format or WordPerfect version 5.1 or later, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter's name and type of software used. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. Interested persons may file additional written comments in response to any such invitation. Interested persons may also attend and participate in the workshop described below and in any other workshop that may be scheduled. The commission will provide written notice of any additional preproposal workshops to all commenters and to any other persons specifically asking to receive notice in this rule-making proceeding.
NOTICE OF WORKSHOP: A workshop will be held on October 10, 2000, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Commission's Hearing Room, Room 206, Second Floor, Chandler Plaza, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA. The commission's teleconference bridge line will be available for this workshop. A limited number of teleconference ports are available and will be assigned one to an organization, first come first served. Persons wishing to attend via the teleconference bridge line must contact Jennifer Watsek at (360) 664-1139 no later than 5:00 p.m., October 6, 2000. Questions may be addressed to Kristen Russell at (360) 664-1281 or e-mail at krussell@wutc.wa.gov.
TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULE MAKING -- The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rulemaking, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket No. UT-003074, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket No. UT-003074, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to records@wutc.wa.gov. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's Internet web site at <http://www.wutc.wa.gov/>. THOSE PARTIES WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.
August 22, 2000
Paul Curl
for Carole Washburn
Secretary