PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: New rules to implement ESSB 5902 Section 3 of the Accessible Communities Act, enacted as chapter 215, Laws of 2010, on the use of funds available from the accessible communities account.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Section 3, chapter 215, Laws of 2010, "(2) The commissioner shall adopt rules to administer this section."
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESSB 5902 was enacted in 2010 establishing the accessible communities account and rules are needed to establish the criteria and procedures applicable to the following: Submission and review of assurances by counties establishing accessible community advisory committees; reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses incurred by accessible community advisory committee members; solicitation, selection, oversight and evaluation of grants for locally initiated projects to improve awareness, inclusion and access for people who have disabilities.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The employment security department will communicate and coordinate with the agency council on coordinated transportation, the developmental disabilities council, and the emergency management division, all of which have an interest in the rules governing the Accessible Communities Act.
Process for Developing New Rule: Early public comments and recommendations will be solicited. Draft rules will be circulated among stakeholders to solicit comments and recommendations prior to publication of the rule for the rule-making hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Toby Olson, Executive Secretary, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, Employment Security Department, P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046, phone (360) 485-5890, or e-mail tolson2@esd.wa.gov. Please include your name, organization (if any), mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number.
September 14, 2010
Paul Trause
Deputy Commissioner