PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 326-20-125 Processing fee.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 39.19.210.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently, the office charges a $20.00 processing fee for all applications received from businesses seeking certification. The new section passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2003, allows the office to raise fees in excess of the fiscal growth factor to help offset the decrease in the office's revolving fund charges to state agencies. This new section is partially based on the legislature's collected testimony from certified firms that they would be willing to pay higher application processing fees to OMWBE.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The office is meeting with representatives of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to ensure the state remains in compliance.
Process for Developing New Rule: This is a rule that will govern the actions of the office and is not subject to violation by a nongovernment party.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by sending written comment to Cathy Canorro, Rules Coordinator, Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, P.O. Box 41160, Olympia, WA 98504-1160, fax (360) 586-7079, ccanorro@omwbe.wa.gov, phone (360) 704-1187 for questions.
November 19, 2003
Carolyn Crowson
Director