WSR 14-17-137

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 20, 2014, 11:55 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending three rules; decodifying and recodifying two rules; and repealing ten rules in chapter 458-276 WAC, Access to public records. These rules explain the public records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW, establish the procedures the department of revenue (department) will follow to provide the public access to public records.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 42.56 RCW, Public Records Act and RCW 82.01.060(2) (department's rule-making authority).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Updating these rules interpreting the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW, will clarify and update the procedures the department follows to provide access to public records. These rules will provide information and establish processes for requesting and obtaining access to public records. These rules also explain statutory exemptions from disclosure.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The attorney general has adopted model public records disclosure rules that provide information about the Public Records Act and its interpretation (chapter 44-14 WAC).

Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in this rule making may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by providing written comments throughout this rule making or giving oral testimony at the public meeting or public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. A preliminary draft of possible rule changes will be made available via the department's online Rules Agenda at a later date.

Written comments may be submitted and should be directed to Mark E. Bohe, ITA Division, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-7453, e-mail markbohe@dor.wa.gov.

Written and oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting.

Public Meeting Location: Capital Plaza Building, Fourth Floor Executive Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on September 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Call-in option can be provided upon request no later than three days before the meeting date.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Mary Carol LaPalm, (360) 725-7499 or Renee Cosare, (360) 725-7514 no later than ten days before the meeting date. For hearing impaired please contact us via the Washington relay operator at (800) 833-6384.

August 20, 2014

Dylan Waits

Rules Coordinator