Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-05-012.

Title of Rule: WAC 308-12-326 Architect fees.

Purpose: To adjust fees that architects pay for services and licensing provided by the department.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.08.430(1) and 43.24.086.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.24.086.

Summary: The fees charged by the agency for administering application, registration, and the renewal process are set at a level to support operation of the program. The increases in selected fees are to offset increases in selected costs to the program. All increases are in accordance with RCW 43.135.055 (Initiative 601) and are within the limitations of the Fiscal Growth Index for FY99 of 4.18%.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Increased costs to the architect program for fiscal year 1999 must be supported by fees assessed to licensees, applicants for reciprocal registration, corporate certificates of authority, and registration certifications.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: James D. Hanson, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, WA, phone (360) 753-1153.

Name of Proponent: Department of Licensing and Washington State Board of Registration for Architects, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: WAC 308-12-326 lists the services for which fees are charged and the respective amount for each of the services. All program forms list the respective fees that are required with a form submittal. The purpose of all listed fees is to recover the cost of administering the program. The anticipated effects of the listing of fees is to inform interested parties, provide timely customer service, reduce telephonic inquiries, reduce delays in administration waiting for required fees to be submitted, and fully comply with the statutory requirement of RCW 43.24.086.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The existing version of this section lists fees in amounts that supported administering the architect program as it was funded in the 95-97 biennium budget. The 97-99 biennium budget requires minor increases to keep the program financially solvent, fund the required program expenditures, and meet the requirement to fully support the program with assessed revenue.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Each fee that was increased was within the limits of RCW 43.135.055. No fee increase exceeded fifty dollars to individuals or businesses.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The Department of Licensing is not subject to section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, or RCW 34.05.328(5). Additionally, this section does not apply to rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards. The fees and fee changes in this rule are required by RCW 43.24.086.

Hearing Location: Conference Room 1, Business and Professions Division, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, WA 98502, on May 28, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Joan Robinson by May 15, 1998, TDD (360) 586-2788 or FAX (360) 664-2551.

Submit Written Comments to: James D. Hanson, Board of Registration for Architects, P.O. Box 9045, Olympia, WA 98507-9045, by May 13, 1998, voice (360) 753-1153 or FAX (360) 664-2551.

Date of Intended Adoption: May 28, 1998.

April 17, 1998

James D. Hanson

Program Administrator

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 97-13-095, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97)

WAC 308-12-326  Architect fees. The following fees shall be charged by the business and professions division of the department of licensing:

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.24.086. 97-13-095, § 308-12-326, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.03.350. 97-06-064, § 308-12-326, filed 2/27/97, effective 3/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340 and 18.08.370. 91-13-055, § 308-12-326, filed 6/14/91, effective 7/15/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.24.086. 90-03-032, § 308-12-326, filed 1/12/90, effective 2/12/90; 87-10-028 (Order PM 650), § 308-12-326, filed 5/1/87.]