WSR 14-17-115

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 20, 2014, 8:49 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 308-48 WAC, Funeral licensing services and chapter 98-70 WAC, Cemetery licensing services.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 68.05.205, 18.39.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed rule change will suspend fee amounts for a preset period of time. We expect the fee suspension will be in place for two years. 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 excessive without 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. 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 chapters 18.39 and 68.05 RCW. Details will be posted on our web site and distributed through the funeral and cemetery board listserv.

To receive information by e-mail, please sign up on the funeral and cemetery board listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=FUNERAL-AND-CEMETERY-BOARD.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Autumn Dryden, Washington State Funeral and Cemetary Licensing Board, Department of Licensing, phone (360) 664-1497, fax (360) 570-7098, e-mail funerals@dol.wa.gov. Additional information will be posted on the funeral and cemetery board web site as it becomes available at http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/funeralcemetery/.

August 20, 2014

Damon Monroe

Rules Coordinator