PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

[Docket TP-180402—Filed August 8, 2018, 3:21 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The purpose of this rule making is to implement SSB 6519, chapter 107, Laws of 2018, enacted during the 2018 legislative session, and effective on July 1, 2019. This rule making is recorded as Docket TP-180402 at the commission.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 81.116.020, 81.116.900.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2018, the legislature passed SSB 6519, chapter 107, Laws of 2018, which transferred marine pilotage rate-setting authority from the board of pilotage commissioners (BPC) to the commission effective July 1, 2019. The legislation also transfers to the commission consideration of the Grays Harbor port district's tariff rate recommendations for pilotage services, and authorizes the commission to include in rates the reasonable costs for setting tariff rates. To ensure the timely adoption of rules, RCW 81.116.900 allows the commission to adopt rules prior to July 1, 2019. This rule making will establish rules for general rate proceedings for marine pilotage services, including a detailed description of the information required for such filings.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The BPC currently has rate-setting authority.

Process for Developing New Rule: The commission will ask for initial written comments on the CR-101 by September 14, 2018.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Executive Director and Secretary, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-664-1160, email records@utc.wa.gov, web site www.utc.wa.gov.