WSR 24-08-073

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Filed April 2, 2024, 3:07 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Implementing minority, small, veteran, and women business enterprise public works small business certification on state-funded contracts.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 39.19 RCW and RCW 47.28.030(3).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) needs to adopt these rules to comply with the rules adopted by the office of minority and women's business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW. These rules are intended to certify businesses as public works small business certification program. These rules apply to WSDOT's contracting process to reduce and discourage discrimination in WSDOT's contracting.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.

Process for Developing New Rule: This is in response to legislative changes passed by the state legislature that created a new form of certification, the public works and small business certification program.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jackie Bayne, 310 Maple Park Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-705-7084, fax 360-705-6801, TTY 711, email BayneJ@wsdot.wa.gov, website www.wsdot.wa.gov/equalopportunity.

April 2, 2024

Sam Wilson, Director

Business Support Services