WSR 15-18-116

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 2, 2015, 9:29 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Updating certain election rules to clarify agency practice, amending certain election rules to allow for electronic voting, and repealing a rule that are [is] no longer necessary.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.52.080, 41.56.090, 41.58.050, 41.59.110, 41.76.060, 41.80.080, 47.64.280(2), 49.39.060.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency's current election rules do not allow for the use of online or telephonic voting to determine representation elections. Online voting will increase the participation of voters and will allow for a more efficient use of agency resources.

The marine employment commission is no longer a division of the public employment relations commission and all appeals of representation cases shall be heard by the public employment relations commission appointed under chapter 41.58 RCW. Accordingly, WAC 391-25-675 is no longer necessary.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other agency regulates public sector collective bargaining.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency staff intend to contact representatives from both labor and management to discuss possible amendments to agency rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Michael P. Sellars, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919 [98504-0919], (360) 570-7306; or Dario de la Rosa, 112 North Henry Street, Suite 300, P.O. Box 40919, Olympia, WA 98504-4919 [98504-0919], (360) 570-7328.

September 2, 2015

Dario de la Rosa

Representation Coordinator