Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department may propose to amend chapter 388-310 WAC, WorkFirst; chapter 388-450 WAC, Income; chapter 388-478 WAC, Standards for payments; and any other related WACs.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, chapters 74.08A and 74.12 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed changes to these rules may be needed to:

     •     Improve program efficiencies,

     •     Reduce program costs, or

     •     Address insufficient program funding.

     On September 16, 2010, Governor Gregiore [Gregoire] directed agencies to impose across-the-board reductions of 6.3 percent starting October 1, 2010, in response to a projected $520 million shortfall for this fiscal year, 2010-11. These amendments may be necessary to contain costs and maintain vital programs within budget for the remainder of the current year which will help to prevent deeper cuts later.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Aurea Figueroa-Rogers, Program Manager, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4623, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail Aurea.Figueroa-Rogers@dshs.wa.gov.

September 22, 2010

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office