PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
COMMISSION
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Examine the need to revise and clarify rules to selected sections of chapter 480-07 WAC, Procedural rules, specifically WAC 480-07-110, 480-07-125, 480-07-140, 480-07-160, 480-07-307, 480-07-395, 480-07-510, 480-07-710, 480-07-900, 480-07-903, 480-07-904, and 480-07-905. This notice supplements the original CR-101 filed at WSR 07-24-081 to include and consider revising rules in WAC 480-07-145, 480-07-180, and 480-07-630. In all other respects the original CR-101 at WSR 07-24-081 remains applicable.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040(4), 80.04.160, and 34.05.020.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Since the commission adopted rules related to delegation of certain commission decisions in chapter 480-07 WAC, Procedural rules, effective September 21, 2006, commission staff have identified a variety of issues that suggest the commission should review the delegation rules to promote efficiency in the conduct of business before the commission. At the same time, commission staff have also identified issues with other procedural rules in chapter 480-07 WAC. In response to comments by interested persons, the commission adds WAC 480-07-145 to address the suggestion that parties should be allowed to submit documents electronically in all adjudications without first obtaining approval from the presiding officer, and WAC 480-07-180 and 480-07-630 are being added to address the comment that references in chapter 480-07 WAC to the Public Records Act are incorrectly reference chapter 42.17 RCW, not chapter 43.56 RCW.
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 for additional comments.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may contact the Executive 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.
Interested persons may file written comments on the CR-101 by April 21, 2008.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than Monday, April 21, 2008.
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@utc.wa.gov. Please include:
| • | The docket number of this proceeding (A-072162). |
| • | The commenting party's name. |
| • | The title and date of the comment or comments. |
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@utc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Executive Secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket A-072162 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Ann Rendahl (360) 664-1144 or e-mail at arendahl@utc.wa.gov.
March 19, 2008
Carole J. Washburn
Executive Secretary