PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Agency administrative procedures and third party submission rules, including WAC 417-01-105, 417-01-110, 417-01-115, 417-01-125, 417-01-130, 417-01-135, 417-01-150, 417-01-155, and chapter 417-06 WAC. The agency will also review Public Records Act (chapter 42.17 RCW ) and Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW) requirements with the intent of drafting language to ensure compliance with existing law.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 44.05.080(1).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission, which was just reconvened in January 2001, is required to prepare a redistricting plan according to the specifications of the state constitution and state law. Because of the decennial nature of the commission, and the importance of public participation and input in the development [of] such plans, the commission finds that chapters 417-01 and 417-06 WAC must be reviewed to ensure the proper dissemination of contact and meeting information; compliance with public records and APA requirements; adherence to commission directives on the conduct of business and administrative matters; and the development of proper criteria for third-party plan submissions.
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 commission will provide the opportunity for interested persons to make written or oral comments throughout the rule-making process. The commission will schedule one or more hearings for adoption of final rules in a manner designed to develop consensus, to the extent possible, regarding rule proposals.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Public comment on these rules is welcome, and the public is invited to submit written comments or provide oral comments at commission meetings where rule making is scheduled. Interested parties can request to be on a mailing list for notification of the date and location of public input meetings. Questions concerning rules coordination should be directed to Darleen Muhly, Washington State Redistricting Commission, 505 East Union Avenue, P.O. Box 40948, Olympia, WA 98504-0948. The commission telephone number is (360) 586-9000; the commission fax number is (360) 586-8995; the commission website is www.redistricting.wa.gov; and the commission electronic mail address is contact@redistricting.wa.gov. A commission hearing for adoption of final rules on proposed changes will not occur before May 22, 2001. The commission is expected to address draft language at a special meeting in early March and a regular meeting at 1 p.m. on April 5, 2001, in the commission's office in Olympia.
February 20, 2001
Ethan Moreno
Executive Director