WSR 15-13-130 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION
[Docket TE-151080—Filed June 17, 2015, 9:33 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Washington utilities and transportation commission (commission) opens an inquiry to determine if rule making is necessary for the sole purpose of implementing SSB 5362, passed and signed into law in the 2015 legislative session. The potential rule making would affect chapter 480-30 WAC relating to charter bus companies. The rule making would be limited to the provisions of SSB 5362, including:
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 81.04, 81.70 RCW; specifically RCW 81.70.020, 81.70.030, 81.70.220, 81.70.260, 81.70.270, 81.70.320, 81.70.350, and 81.70.360.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under chapter 81.70 RCW, the commission regulates passenger charter bus carriers operating within Washington state for public safety. The 2015 legislature passed legislation (SSB 5362) requiring chapter 81.70 RCW to include transportation of persons by party bus over any public highway within the state as a charter party carrier.
If alcoholic beverages are served or consumed aboard a charter party carrier vehicle, a responsible party must first obtain a liquor permit. The holder of the permit must be on the vehicle or reasonably proximate and available, must monitor and control party activities to prevent driver distraction and assume responsibility for compliance with the alcohol permit. If the carrier is the permit holder, then the carrier must have a person other than the driver satisfy the alcohol permit holder requirements. If the carrier believes the conditions aboard the vehicle are unsafe, the carrier must remove all alcoholic beverages and lock them in the trunk or other compartment. Any carrier violating these provisions is subject to a penalty up to $5,000.
A carrier may not knowingly allow any passenger to smoke aboard a carrier's vehicle. Smoke is defined as the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment.
Engaging in the business of a charter party carrier or excursion service carrier is clarified to include certain advertising activities. Engaging in the business without a valid UTC certificate could result in a penalty up to $5,000 per violation.
Fees paid to the commission under this chapter must be submitted by May 1 rather than December 31 of any calendar year.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state liquor control board regulates the alcohol permits.
Process for Developing New Rule: The commission will ask for initial written comments, schedule a workshop if needed, and will provide the opportunity for stakeholders to submit additional written comments on draft rules and proposed CR-102 rules prior to adoption.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may file comments with the Executive Director and Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, e-mail records@utc.wa.gov, or through the commission web portal http://www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing by 5:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2015.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2015.
Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted via the commission's web portal at www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing or by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@utc.wa.gov. Please include:
An alternative method for submitting comments may be by mailing/delivering an electronic copy on a flash drive, DVD, or compact disk, in .pdf Adobe Acrobat format or in Word 97 or later. Include all of the information requested above. The commission will post on the commission's web site all comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is located at http://www.utc.wa.gov/151080. If you are unable to file your comments electronically or to submit them on a disk, the commission will always accept a paper document.
Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@utc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Steven V. King, executive director and secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket TE-151080 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Suzanne Stillwell, (360) 664-1224 or e-mail sstillwe@utc.wa.gov.
NOTICE
TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULE MAKING - The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rule making, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket TE-151080, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket TE-151080, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to <records@utc.wa.gov>. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's internet web site at <http://www.utc.wa.gov/151080>. THOSE INTERESTED PERSONS WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.
June 17, 2015
Steven V. King
Executive Director
and Secretary
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