WSR 17-07-099

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 21, 2017, 7:56 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 468-70-050 Business eligibility.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.36.30 [47.36.030] Traffic control devices—Specifications to counties and cities—Signs, banners over highway, 47.36.310 Motorist information signs—Interstate highways—Contents, placement, fees, and 47.36.320 Motorist information signs, tourist-oriented directional signs—Primary and scenic roads—Contents, placement, fees.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rule will edit existing eligibility requirements for hours of operation involving a gas activity and to promote more participation by gas businesses in the motorist information sign program.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) coordinated the adoption and modification of MUTCD for use in the state of Washington in conjunction with FHWA.

Process for Developing New Rule: The editorial change will reduce the number of continuous hours operation to be consistent with the national practice found in MUTCD. FHWA supports the editorial changes incorporated into this rule.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rick Mowlds, State Sign Specialist, WSDOT, Headquarters Traffic Operations Office, P.O. Box 47344, Olympia, WA 98504-7344, phone (360) 705-7988, fax (360) 705-6826, or email mowldsr@wsdot.wa.gov.

March 21, 2017

Karen Larsen, Director

Risk Management and Legal Services