WSR 17-05-044 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH [Filed February 8, 2017, 4:44 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-808-990 Chiropractic fees and renewal cycle, proposing fee reductions to align licensing fee revenues with the actual costs of regulating the profession, and to attain an appropriate annual fund balance. The proposal also clarifies that the jurisprudence examination fee applies to reexaminations and updates other terms.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, 111 Israel Road, Town Center 2, Room 145, Tumwater, WA 98501, on March 21, 2017, at 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: March 28, 2017.
Submit Written Comments to: Nancy Elliott, P.O. Box 47850, Tumwater, WA 98504-7850, email https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/policyreview, fax (360) 236-2901, by March 21, 2017.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Elliot by March 15, 2017, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The goal of the proposed fee reduction is to align licensing fee revenues with the actual costs of regulating the profession, while bringing year-end reserves to the desired fund balance over a ten-year period. Current licensing fees generate more revenue than is needed to cover the full cost of administering the chiropractic program, which results in a higher than desirable end-year fund balance. The department is proposing to reduce the application/initial licensing fee, active license renewal fee, and active license late renewal penalty for doctors of chiropractic.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 43.70.250 requires the cost of each licensing program to be fully borne by the profession's members and licensing fees to be based on the program's costs. Reducing fees to the proposed levels will more closely align revenue with the program's expenses and enable reserves to be maintained at the recommended year-end balance to cover unanticipated events, such as increased disciplinary costs. Without the proposed reductions, the year-end reserves will exceed the recommended fund balance, which is set at a percentage of expenditures based on complaint rate and licensee growth.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of health, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Nancy Elliot, 111 Israel Road, Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4878; and Enforcement: Leann Yount, 111 Israel Road, Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4856.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Under RCW 19.85.025 and 34.05.310 (4)(f), a small business economic impact statement is not required for proposed rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The agency did not complete a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi) exempts rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.
February 7, 2017
John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH
Secretary
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 15-19-145, filed 9/22/15, effective 1/1/16)
WAC 246-808-990 Chiropractic fees and renewal cycle.
(1) Licenses and registrations must be renewed on the practitioner's birthday every year as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for chiropractic licensure:
(3) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for chiropractic X-ray technician registration:
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