WSR 15-22-030

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 27, 2015, 2:17 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Committee on geographic names and geographic names proposals and process.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.30.293.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Existing statutes do not fully describe the process for proposing, processing, and deciding upon geographic name proposals. The legislature directed the committee on geographic names to "establish rules for the conduct of its affairs and to carry out the duties of this section." RCW 43.30.293. Rules would clarify the process for proposing and processing geographic names and the standards considered for determining the eligibility of proposed names and for guiding the committee's decision on proposals.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state board on geographic names receives the recommendations of the committee on geographic names and makes the final determination whether a proposed name will be adopted. See RCW 43.30.291-[43.30].295. The committee has independent authority to adopt rules relating to its affairs and duties; however, the committee will report its intentions to the board to confirm that the board wants it to pursue rules and during the rule-making process to obtain the board's input on rule development. The United States Board on Geographic Names does not control local naming; however, the committee will also notify the United States Board of the committee's intentions and draft rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: The committee's staff will initially conduct rule development with public outreach. Committee consideration and approval will be needed before adoption.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Washington Committee on Geographic Names, P.O. Box 47030, Olympia, WA 98504, bogn@dnr.wa.gov, (360) 902-1280. A public meeting will be held to solicit comments on the proposed rules.

October 16, 2015

Kyle Blum

Deputy Supervisor