[Filed November 15, 2023, 5:15 p.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 332-10-041 Meetings of board of natural resources.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The scheduled days for the regular meetings of the board of natural resources will be changed to better accommodate nonlocal members. Rule will also be updated to reflect current technology for hybrid meeting capabilities.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Multiple board members need to travel from out of the area to attend board of natural resources meetings. When a holiday occurs on the Monday before a scheduled meeting, the board members are currently having to travel on that holiday. Changes are designed to allow for board meetings to occur on Wednesday if a holiday occurs on a Monday.

New technology has changed how board members are able to attend meetings remotely. Changes are designed to reflect this.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.30.225.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.30.225.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Washington department of natural resources, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: William Wells, Forks, Washington, 360-640-0181; Implementation: Tami Kellogg, Olympia, Washington, 360-902-2122; and Enforcement: Adrienne Smith, Olympia, Washington, 360-586-3204.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Relates only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a person.

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Rochelle Goss, Department of Natural Resources, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015, phone 360-902-2117, email Rochelle.goss@dnr.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY January 22, 2024.

Acting Deputy Supervisor

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 02-19-058, filed 9/12/02, effective 10/13/02)

WAC 332-10-041Meetings of board of natural resources.

(1) Regular meetings of the board of natural resources shall be held on the first Tuesday of every month except August. If a regular meeting falls on a holiday or the day after a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. A schedule of meetings will be published in the Washington State Register in January of each year. Changes to the schedule will be published in the Washington State Register pursuant to RCW 42.30.075. Special meetings may be held pursuant to RCW 42.30.080. Any person may obtain information about locations and meeting times by contacting the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 47001, Olympia, Washington 98504-7001. The public is invited to attend and comment at all meetings.

(2) Members of the board of natural resources may participate by telephone or other means of remote access in any regular or special meeting so long as a ((speaker phone is available at the public meeting location. To assure that all discussions comply with RCW 42.30.030,))board discussion can be heard by those attending the public meeting and the members can hear what is stated in the meeting. If more than one board member is participating by telephone or other means of remote access, then each such board member shall ((use a separate telephone line or a separate telephone. If other electronic means of attending meetings from remote locations are available, board members may employ these means so long as board discussion can be heard by those attending the public meeting consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30))join the meeting separately, such as by a separate telephone or electronic meeting link. Board members participating by telephone or other ((electronic)) means of remote access may vote on any matter and shall be considered as part of the quorum.