Original Notice.

     Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

     Title of Rule: Chapter 350-11, Open meetings.

     Purpose: The Columbia River Gorge Compact Art. I, § a and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b) require the gorge commission to maintain regulations relating to open meetings that are consistent with the more restrictive statutory provisions of either state. In 2003, Oregon adopted changes to the Oregon Open Meeting Act to keep certain utility security information confidential. This rule makes those changes effective to the gorge commission.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.97.015, ORS 196.150, 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b).

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.97.015, ORS 196.150, 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b).

     Summary: See Purpose above.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Martha Bennett, Executive Director, White Salmon, Washington 98672, (509) 493-3323.

     Name of Proponent: Columbia River Gorge Commission, governmental.

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

     Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The Columbia River Gorge Compact Art. I, § a and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b) require the gorge commission to maintain regulations relating to open meetings that are consistent with the more restrictive statutory provisions of either state. In 2003, Oregon adopted changes to the Oregon Open Meeting Act to keep certain utility security information confidential. This rule makes those changes effective to the gorge commission. The gorge commission will be permitted to discuss in executive session, information relating to security of various utility facilities.

     Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The amendments involve internal procedures only. No economic impact is anticipated.

     RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The amendments are exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(2). In addition, the gorge commission, as an interstate compact agency is not subject to either states' legislative review process for its administrative rules.

     Hearing Location: Rock Creek Recreation Center, 710 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA, on April 13, 2004, at 9:00 a.m.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Columbia River Gorge Commission by April 9, 2004.

     Submit Written Comments to: Columbia River Gorge Commission, #1 Town and Country Square, P.O. Box 730, White Salmon, WA 98672, fax (509) 493-2229, by April 12, 2004.

     Date of Intended Adoption: April 13, 2004.

February 9, 2004

Nancy A. Andring

Rules Coordinator

350-11-006. Executive sessions permitted on certain matters; procedures; news media representatives' attendance; limits

     (1) The commission can hold executive session during a regular, special or emergency meeting, after the presiding officer has identified the authorization for the holding of such executive session. Executive session may be held:

     (a) To consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. The exception contained in this paragraph does not apply to:

     (A) The filing filling of a vacancy in an elective office;

     (B) The filling of a vacancy on any public committee, commission or other advisory group;

     (C) The consideration of general employment policies;

     (D) The employment of the chief executive officer, other public officers, employees and staff members of any public body unless the vacancy in that office has been advertised, regularized procedures for hiring have been adopted by the public body and there has been opportunity for public input into the employment of such an officer. However, the standards, criteria and policy directives to be used in hiring chief executive officers shall be adopted by the commission in meetings open to the public in which there has been opportunity for public comment.

     (b) To consider the dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, unless such public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent requests an open hearing;

     (c) To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the commission to carry on labor negotiations;

     (d) To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the commission to negotiate real property transactions;

     (e) To consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection;

     (f) To consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the commission is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations;

     (g) To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of the commission with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed;

     (h) To review and evaluate, pursuant to standards, criteria and policy directives adopted by the commission, the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer of the commission, a public officer, employee or staff member unless the person whose performance is being reviewed and evaluated requests an open hearing. The standards, criteria and policy directives to be used in evaluating chief executive officers shall be adopted by the commission in meetings open to comment. An executive session for purposes of evaluating a chief executive officer or other officer, employee or staff member shall not include a general evaluation of any agency goal, objective or operation of or any directive to personnel concerning agency goals, objectives, operations or programs;

     (i) To carry on negotiations with private persons or business regarding proposed acquisition, exchange or liquidation of public investments.

     (j) To discuss information about the review or approval or programs relating to the security of any of the following:

     (A) A nuclear-powered thermal power plant or nuclear installation.

     (B) Transportation of radioactive material derived from or destined for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant or nuclear installation.

     (C) Generation, storage or conveyance of:

     (i) Electricity;

     (ii) Gas in liquefied or gaseous form;

     (iii) Hazardous substances as defined by Oregon or Washington state law;

     (iv) Petroleum products;

     (v) Sewage; or

     (vi) Water;

     (D) Telecommunications systems, including cellular, wireless or radio systems.

     (E) Data transmissions by whatever means provided.

     (2) Labor negotiations may be conducted in executive session if either side of the negotiators requests closed meetings. Subsequent sessions of the negotiations may continue without further public notice.

     (3) Representatives of the news media shall be allowed to attend executive sessions other than those held under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section relating to labor negotiations but no information that is the subject of the executive session shall be disclosed. The Commission shall bar any member of the news media from attending the executive session if the member of the news media is a party to the litigation or is an employee, agent or contractor of a news media organization that is a party to the litigation.

     (4) No executive session may be held for the purpose of taking any final action or making any final decision.

     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the Columbia River Gorge Commission and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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