WSR 25-04-114

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

(Public Works Board)

[Filed February 5, 2025, 9:41 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Modification to existing Title 399 WAC, Department of commerce (public works board), to expand existing reference to the public works board (PWB) broadband emergency funding program.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.155.040(5), PWB may adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The legislature authorized the PWB broadband emergency funding program in June of 2022 in ESHB 1673, codified as RCW 43.155.160(14). PWB completed an initial rule-making process to implement this law in early 2023. Additional rules will define critical terms in the statute and fully operationalize this funding program.

Process for Developing New Rule: Following regular rule-making process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Max Wedding, PWB Programs Manager, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-764-0392, email max.wedding@commerce.wa.gov; or Sheila Richardson, PWB Programs Director, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 564-999-1927, email sheila.richardson@commerce.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Written comments for consideration by PWB should be submitted to Max Wedding.

February 5, 2025

Amanda Hathaway

Legislative and Rules Coordinator