WSR 16-17-032

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 8, 2016, 5:36 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Operations and procedures—Received date for mailed reports—Timely filing presumption based on date of delivery.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.17A.110(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission seeks to adopt a timely filing presumption for mailed reports that are delivered within five business days of the filing deadline, or some other time period to be determined by the commission that would be consistently applied to all mailed reports.

The post office cancellation mark is used as the date received for mailed reports. RCW 42.17A.140(1). Postage purchased online at Stamps.com is not cancelled, which causes the commission to frequently receive mailed reports in envelopes that do not bear a cancellation mark. Using the date delivered resolves the lack of a cancellation mark.

Furthermore, efficiencies could be achieved by using the commission's scanner to imprint one, consistent date received on all reports as they are scanned. The current practice of hand date stamping each report before it is scanned is time consuming.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The commission expects to review draft rule language during the regular September 22 or October 27, 2016, meeting and schedule a hearing for the purpose of adopting the proposed rule during the subsequent regular meeting.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by submitting comments to Lori Anderson, P.O. Box 40908, Olympia, WA 98504-0908, e-mail lori.anderson@pdc.wa.gov, fax (360) 753-1112, phone (360) 664-2737. Participate in the September 22 commission meeting - exact time to be determined when agenda is published. Meeting location: 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA. Contact Lori Anderson to accommodate alternatives to in-person meeting participation.

August 8, 2016

Lori Anderson

Communications and

Training Officer