PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 323-10 WAC, Public records.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.56.010, 42.56.100.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under RCW 42.56.100, agencies shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations consonant with the intent of chapter 42.56 RCW to provide full public access to public records, to protect public records from damage or disorganization, and to prevent excessive interference with other essential functions of the agency. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the fullest assistance to inquirers and the most timely possible action on requests for information. The military department is replacing the existing language of chapter 323-10 WAC (last modified in 1973) with updated language to reflect administrative changes as well as the advisory Public Records Act model rules under chapter 44-14 WAC.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The attorney general has adopted advisory model rules on public records compliance, chapter 44-14 WAC. The military department will generally adapt and incorporate these advisory model rules in chapter 323-10 WAC.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and adapting model rules in chapter 44-14 WAC.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The military department encourages your active participation in the rule-making process. Contact Bernadette Petruska, Rules Coordinator, Military Department, Building 1, Camp Murray, WA 98430-0001, voice (253) 512-8108, fax (253) 512-8497, email bernadette.petruska@mil.wa.gov.
October 24, 2011
Jill Bushnell
Public Records Officer