WSR 13-23-017

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed November 12, 2013, 3:52 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 308-15 WAC, Geologist licensing services.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.220.040, 18.220.050, and 43.24.086.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed rule change continues suspended fee amounts, at rates that were effective through July 1, 2014. This program is required to be self-supporting and operates out of a dedicated fund. Revenue currently being generated to cover the cost of the program is sufficient with the fee suspension in place. This trend is expected to continue over the next couple of years. The suspended fees would have a positive impact on new applicants and existing licensees.

The proposed rule change also simplifies and clarifies existing rules in ways that do not change the scope of practice. They will remove unnecessary definitions already defined in statute, simplify the language, and allow for flexibility on scheduling board meetings. These proposed rule amendments are supported by industry.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: Direct notice will be made to stakeholders and all active licensees under chapter 18.220 RCW. Details will be posted on our web site and distributed through the geologist board listserv.

To receive information by e-mail, please sign up on the geologist board listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GEOLOGIST-LICENSING-BOARD.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by sending comments by mail, phone, fax or e-mail to Autumn Dryden, Washington State Geologist Licensing Board, Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9045, Olympia, WA 98507-9045, phone (360) 664-1497, fax (360) 570-7098, e-mail geologist@dol.wa.gov. Additional information will be posted on the geologist board web site as it becomes available at http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/geologist/.

November 12, 2013

Damon Monroe

Rules Coordinator