WSR 14-15-140

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 23, 2014, 8:36 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Update commute trip reduction (CTR) program performance goals in reducing transportation-related air pollution, fuel consumption, and traffic congestion. Make clarifying revisions.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: The agency's authority to adopt CTR program rules is granted under RCW 70.94.537.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The program's current performance goals cited in rule are out-of-date. New goals are being adopted for the upcoming four year program cycle 2015-2019.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington department of ecology governs air quality and will be consulted on the new goals, RCW 70.94.527(3).

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making, the CTR program regulates certain counties and cities through this program. The program will consult with regional transportation planning organizations and local government implementers about these goal changes. The CTR board, whose members include county and city implementers, will adopt new goals in consultation with the technical advisory group, per RCW 70.94.537(7). The department of transportation will adopt the new goals into agency rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by mailing or e-mailing comments to A. Alexandra DeMoss, Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 47387, Olympia, WA 98504-7387, e-mail DeMossA@wsdot.wa.gov.

July 23, 2014

Kathryn W. Taylor

Assistant Secretary