Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule making would consider possible corrections and changes to rules relating to telecommunications, including rules in chapter 480-122 WAC, Washington telephone assistance program.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: While implementing the rules in chapter 480-120 WAC, Telephone companies, that took effect in July 2003, stakeholders and agency staff have identified a variety of issues that suggest that the commission review its rules relating to telecommunications, including chapter 480-122 WAC. This rule making would consider possible corrections, changes, and clarifications to address those issues and others that may emerge during the rule-making process.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study and the commission will ask for initial comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments. The commission will schedule one or more workshops with representatives of affected companies and constituencies to discuss issues related to this rule making and any rule proposal.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by filing comments with the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, by Wednesday, February 25, 2004. An initial workshop is scheduled for March 11, 2004. For specific information regarding opportunities for written comments, participation in the workshop, and to ensure receipt of further information concerning this rule making, please see below.

     WRITTEN COMMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than Wednesday, February 25, 2004, for consideration at the March 11, 2004, stakeholder workshop.

     Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@wutc.wa.gov. Please include:

•	The docket number of this proceeding (UT-040015)
•	The commenting party's name
•	The title and date of the comment or comments

     An alternative method for submitting comments may be by mailing/delivering an electronic copy on a 3 1/2 inch, IBM-formatted, high-density disk, in .pdf Adobe Acrobat format or in Word 97 or later. Include all of the information requested above. The commission will post on the commission's web site all comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is located at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/040015. If you are unable to file your comments electronically or to submit them on a disk, the commission will always accept a paper document.

     Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@wutc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket No. UT-040015 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Sharyn Bate, (360) 664-1295 or e-mail at sbate@wutc.wa.gov>.

January 27, 2004

Carole J. Washburn

Executive Secretary

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