Subject of Possible Rule Making: Toll collection and adjudication in Washington state.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 47.46 and 47.56 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amend chapter 468-305 WAC pertaining to the existing toll collection and adjudication rules for the statewide customer service center operations, photo toll collections and adjudication operations. The amendment to WAC 468-305-101, 468-305-500, 468-305-502, 468-305-505, 468-305-510, 468-305-515, 468-305-520, 468-305-525, 468-305-530, 468-305-550, 468-305-560, 468-305-562, 468-305-570, and 468-305-572 and other related WACs as necessary should accomplish the following:

•	Standardization of terminology throughout the chapter.

•	Extension of payment due dates for notice of civil penalties and final orders of liability.

•	Extension of the number of days customers have to dispute NOCP.

•	The separation of the penalty amount, toll amount and administrative fees.

•	Simplifying instructions to customers on payments, requests for administrative hearings, written disputes and waiver of hearings.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state transportation commission will review these rules.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Agency review in response to outside comments and internal evaluation. The proposed changes are needed for consistency and clarification.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The Washington department of transportation (WSDOT) will publish a notice that a public hearing on these rules will be held in the fall of 2013. Comments may be submitted to Lucinda Broussard, WSDOT Toll Operations Manager, (206) 716-1156, or fax (206) 464-1189. Comments may also be submitted to tollrulescomments@wsdot.wa.gov.

March 20, 2013

Stephen T. Reinmuth

Chief of Staff