WSR 20-04-036

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Filed January 28, 2020, 3:15 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 468-550 WAC, Safety oversight of rail fixed guideway system rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 81.104.115, high capacity transportation systems - definitions.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rules need to be updated so the WAC are in synchronization with controlling federal legislation (49 U.S.C. 5329c, 49 U.S.C. 5329e) and rules (49 C.F.R. Part 674), and the state safety oversight (SSO) program standard.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) directs the SSO program to have SSO of the rail fixed guideway systems in Washington state.

Process for Developing New Rule: The updating of the rules are a result of changing authority and directives from the FTA through new C.F.R.s.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Barb Fuller, 401 2nd Avenue South, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104, phone 206-716-1140, email FullerB@wsdot.wa.gov.

January 28, 2020

Kara Larsen

Director of Risk Management

and Legal Services