WSR 98-16-101

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

COMMISSION

[Docket No. UT-980083--Filed August 5, 1998, 11:22 a.m.]



Subject of Possible Rule Making: The commission proposes to expand its initial inquiry into its processes regarding applications for registration, petitions for competitive classification, filing of price lists, and withdrawal and revocation of registration for telecommunications companies. The commission's expanded inquiry also would reexamine the appropriate public policy considerations to effect essential consumer protections in its regulation of telecommunications companies doing business in Washington state.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, and chapter 337, Laws of 1998.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission previously noticed its intention to explore integrating parts of the application process which may reduce burdens on the process of entry and increase ease in compliance, and to conduct a review of rules pursuant to Executive Order 97-02. In the expanded inquiry, the commission additionally will consider the need for stricter consumer protection standards to assure adequate safeguards exist to prevent abuse of customers by regulated companies.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity to make additional comments if appropriate. The commission may schedule one or more workshops with industry representatives to develop consensus 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, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150. Such persons may submit comments, as specified below, or may ask to be included in the commission's list of interested persons for the proceeding.

Written Comments: Written comments in response to the expanded CR-101 inquiry may be filed with the secretary, referencing Docket No. UT-980083, not later than August 28, 1998. All commentors 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 WordPerfect version 5.1, 6.0, or 6.1, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commentor's name and type of software used. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. The commission may schedule a workshop style meeting if comments indicate that such a session is appropriate.

August 5, 1998

Terrence Stapleton

for Carole J. Washburn

Secretary

Legislature Code Reviser

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