2748-S

AN ACT Relating to regulatory reform; amending RCW 34.05.328, 34.05.330, 34.05.230, 43.110.030, 34.05.542, 34.05.566, 42.17.310, and 4.84.350; adding a new section to chapter 34.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 34.05.328 and 1995 c 403 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Before adopting a rule described in subsection (5) of this section, an agency shall:

(a) Clearly state in detail the general goals and specific objectives of the statute that the rule implements;

(b) Determine that the rule is needed to achieve the general goals and specific objectives stated under (a) of this subsection, and analyze alternatives to rule making and the consequences of not adopting the rule;

(c) Determine that the probable benefits of the rule are greater than its probable costs, taking into account both the qualitative and quantitative benefits and costs and the specific directives of the statute being implemented;

(d) Determine, after considering alternative versions of the rule and the analysis required under (b) and (c) of this subsection, that the rule being adopted is the least burdensome alternative for those required to comply with it that will achieve the general goals and specific objectives stated under (a) of this subsection;

(e) Determine that the rule does not require those to whom it applies to take an action that violates requirements of another federal or state law;

(f) Determine that the rule does not impose more stringent performance requirements on private entities than on public entities unless required to do so by federal or state law;

(g) Determine if the rule differs from any federal regulation or statute applicable to the same activity or subject matter and, if so, determine that the difference is justified by the following:

(i) A state statute that explicitly allows the agency to differ from federal standards; or

(ii) Substantial evidence that the difference is necessary to achieve the general goals and specific objectives stated under (a) of this subsection; ((~~and~~))

(h) Coordinate the substance of the rule, to the maximum extent practicable, with other federal, state, and local laws applicable to the same activity or subject matter; and

(i) Contact the municipal research council. The council may provide information regarding the substance of local regulations and ordinances. An agency has complied with the local law coordination requirement of this subsection if after contacting the municipal research council, the council, at its discretion, has supplied information and the agency has considered it.

(2) In making its determinations pursuant to subsection (1) (b) through (g) of this section, the agency shall place in the rule-making file documentation of sufficient quantity and quality so as to persuade a reasonable person that the determinations are justified.

(3) Before adopting rules described in subsection (5) of this section, an agency shall place in the rule-making file a rule implementation plan for rules filed under each adopting order. The plan shall describe how the agency intends to:

(a) Implement and enforce the rule, including a description of the resources the agency intends to use;

(b) Inform and educate affected persons about the rule;

(d) Evaluate whether the rule achieves the purpose for which it was adopted, including, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of interim milestones to assess progress and the use of objectively measurable outcomes.

(4) After adopting a rule described in subsection (5) of this section regulating the same activity or subject matter as another provision of federal or state law, an agency shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide to the business assistance center a list citing by reference the other federal and state laws that regulate the same activity or subject matter;

(b) Coordinate implementation and enforcement of the rule with the other federal and state entities regulating the same activity or subject matter by making every effort to do one or more of the following:

(i) Deferring to the other entity;

(ii) Designating a lead agency; or

(iii) Entering into an agreement with the other entities specifying how the agency and entities will coordinate implementation and enforcement.

If the agency is unable to comply with this subsection (4)(b), the agency shall report to the legislature pursuant to (c) of this subsection;

(i) The existence of any overlap or duplication of other federal or state laws, any differences from federal law, and any known overlap, duplication, or conflict with local laws; and

(ii) Make recommendations for any legislation that may be necessary to eliminate or mitigate any adverse effects of such overlap, duplication, or difference.

(5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, this section applies to:

(i) Significant legislative rules of the departments of ecology, labor and industries, health, revenue, and natural resources, the employment security department, the forest practices board, the office of the insurance commissioner, and to the legislative rules of the department of fish and wildlife implementing chapter 75.20 RCW; and

(ii) Any rule of any agency, if this section is voluntarily made applicable to the rule by the agency, or is made applicable to the rule by a majority vote of the joint administrative rules review committee within ((~~forty-five~~)) sixty days of receiving the notice of proposed rule making under RCW 34.05.320.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(i) Emergency rules adopted under RCW 34.05.350;

(ii) Rules relating only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party;

(iii) Rules adopting or incorporating by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of state-wide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule;

(iv) Rules that only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect;

(v) Rules the content of which is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute; or

(vi) Rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards.

(i) A "procedural rule" is a rule that adopts, amends, or repeals (A) any procedure, practice, or requirement relating to any agency hearings; (B) any filing or related process requirement for making application to an agency for a license or permit; or (C) any policy statement pertaining to the consistent internal operations of an agency.

(ii) An "interpretive rule" is a rule, the violation of which does not subject a person to a penalty or sanction, that sets forth the agency’s interpretation of statutory provisions it administers.

(iii) A "significant legislative rule" is a rule other than a procedural or interpretive rule that (A) adopts substantive provisions of law pursuant to delegated legislative authority, the violation of which subjects a violator of such rule to a penalty or sanction; (B) establishes, alters, or revokes any qualification or standard for the issuance, suspension, or revocation of a license or permit; or (C) adopts a new, or makes significant amendments to, a policy or regulatory program.

(d) In the notice of proposed rule making under RCW 34.05.320, an agency shall state whether this section applies to the proposed rule pursuant to (a)(i) of this subsection, or if the agency will apply this section voluntarily.

(6) By January 31, 1996, and by January 31st of each even-numbered year thereafter, the office of financial management, after consulting with state agencies, counties, and cities, and business, labor, and environmental organizations, shall report to the governor and the legislature regarding the effects of this section on the regulatory system in this state. The report shall document:

(a) The rules proposed to which this section applied and to the extent possible, how compliance with this section affected the substance of the rule, if any, that the agency ultimately adopted;

(b) The costs incurred by state agencies in complying with this section;

(c) Any legal action maintained based upon the alleged failure of any agency to comply with this section, the costs to the state of such action, and the result;

(d) The extent to which this section has adversely affected the capacity of agencies to fulfill their legislatively prescribed mission;

(e) The extent to which this section has improved the acceptability of state rules to those regulated; and

(f) Any other information considered by the office of financial management to be useful in evaluating the effect of this section.

(7) As used in this section "local laws" means ordinances adopted by cities, towns, and counties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 34.05 RCW to read as follows:

RCW 34.05.322 does not apply to: The commissioner of public lands, the department of social and health services, the department of ecology, the department of agriculture, the department of health, the department of revenue, the department of licensing, the employment security department, and the fish and wildlife commission.

Sec. 3. RCW 34.05.330 and 1995 c 403 s 703 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person may petition an agency requesting the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule. The office of financial management shall prescribe by rule the format for such petitions and the procedure for their submission, consideration, and disposition and provide a standard form that may be used to petition any agency. Within sixty days after submission of a petition, the agency shall either (a) deny the petition in writing, stating (i) its reasons for the denial, specifically addressing the concerns raised by the petitioner, and, where appropriate, (ii) the alternative means by which it will address the concerns raised by the petitioner, or (b) initiate rule-making proceedings in accordance with this chapter.

(2) If an agency denies a petition to repeal or amend a rule submitted under subsection (1) of this section, the petitioner, within thirty days of the denial, may appeal the denial to the governor. The governor shall immediately file notice of the appeal with the code reviser for publication in the Washington state register. Within forty-five days after receiving the appeal, the governor shall either (a) deny the petition in writing, stating (i) his or her reasons for the denial, specifically addressing the concerns raised by the petitioner, and, (ii) where appropriate, the alternative means by which he or she will address the concerns raised by the petitioner; (b) for agencies listed in RCW 43.17.010, direct the agency to initiate rule-making proceedings in accordance with this chapter; or (c) for agencies not listed in RCW 43.17.010, recommend that the agency initiate rule-making proceedings in accordance with this chapter. The governor's response to the appeal shall be published in the Washington state register and copies shall be submitted to the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate.

(3) If an agency denies a petition to adopt, repeal, or amend a rule submitted under subsection (1) of this section, the petitioner may petition the joint administrative rules review committee to review the agency's denial.

(4) In petitioning for repeal or amendment of a rule under this section, a person is encouraged to address, among other concerns:

(a) Whether the rule is authorized;

(b) Whether the rule is needed;

(d) Whether alternatives to the rule exist that will serve the same purpose at less cost;

(e) Whether the rule applies differently to public and private entities;

(f) Whether the rule serves the purposes for which it was adopted;

(g) Whether the costs imposed by the rule are unreasonable;

(h) Whether the rule is clearly and simply stated; and

(i) Whether the rule is different than a federal law applicable to the same activity or subject matter without adequate justification.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) The business assistance center and the office of financial management shall coordinate efforts among agencies to inform the public about the existence of this rules review process.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) The office of financial management shall initiate the rule making required by subsection (1) of this section by September 1, 1995.

Sec. 4. RCW 34.05.230 and 1995 c 403 s 702 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) If the adoption of rules is not feasible and practicable, an agency is encouraged to advise the public of its current opinions, approaches, and likely courses of action by means of interpretive or policy statements. Current interpretive and policy statements are advisory only. An agency is encouraged to convert long-standing interpretive and policy statements into rules.

(2) A person may petition an agency requesting the adoption of a rule to supersede one or more specified principles of law or policy used by the agency as part of the basis for its decisions in particular cases.

(3) The agency shall:

(a) Notify the joint administrative rules review committee of the request; and

(b) Adopt such a rule as soon as feasible and to the extent practicable, and in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

(4) A person may petition an agency requesting the conversion of interpretive and policy statements into rules. Upon submission, the agency shall notify the joint administrative rules review committee of the petition. Within sixty days after submission of a petition, the agency shall either deny the petition in writing, stating its reasons for the denial, or initiate rule-making proceedings in accordance with this chapter.

((~~(3)~~)) (5) Each agency shall maintain a roster of interested persons, consisting of persons who have requested in writing to be notified of all interpretive and policy statements issued by that agency. Each agency shall update the roster once each year and eliminate persons who do not indicate a desire to continue on the roster. Whenever an agency issues an interpretive or policy statement, it shall send a copy of the statement to each person listed on the roster. The agency may charge a nominal fee to the interested person for this service.

Sec. 5. RCW 43.110.030 and 1990 c 104 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The municipal research council shall contract for the provision of municipal research and services to cities and towns. Contracts for municipal research and services shall be made with state agencies, educational institutions, or private consulting firms, that in the judgment of council members are qualified to provide such research and services. Contracts for staff support may be made with state agencies, educational institutions, or private consulting firms that in the judgment of the council members are qualified to provide such support.

Municipal research and services shall consist of: (1) Studying and researching municipal government and issues relating to municipal government; (2) acquiring, preparing, and distributing publications related to municipal government and issues relating to municipal government; (3) providing educational conferences relating to municipal government and issues relating to municipal government; ((~~and~~)) (4) furnishing legal, technical, consultative, and field services to cities and towns concerning planning, public health, utility services, fire protection, law enforcement, public works, and other issues relating to municipal government; and (5) may provide an annual list by general subject matter of available local ordinances to the business assistance center.

The activities, programs, and services of the municipal research council shall be carried on, and all expenditures shall be made, in cooperation with the cities and towns of the state acting through the board of directors of the association of Washington cities, which is recognized as their official agency or instrumentality.

Sec. 6. RCW 34.05.542 and 1988 c 288 s 509 are each amended to read as follows:

Subject to other requirements of this chapter or of another statute:

(1) A petition for judicial review of a rule may be filed at any time, except as limited by RCW 34.05.375.

(2) A petition for judicial review of an order shall be filed with the court and served on the agency, the hearings board if one is involved, the office of the attorney general, and all parties of record within thirty days after service of the final order.

(3) A petition for judicial review of agency action other than the adoption of a rule or the entry of an order is not timely unless filed with the court and served on the agency, the office of the attorney general, and all other parties of record within thirty days after the agency action, but the time is extended during any period that the petitioner did not know and was under no duty to discover or could not reasonably have discovered that the agency had taken the action or that the agency action had a sufficient effect to confer standing upon the petitioner to obtain judicial review under this chapter.

(4) Service of the petition on the agency shall be by delivery of a copy of the petition to the office of the director, or other chief administrative officer or chairperson of the agency, at the principal office of the agency. Service of a copy by mail upon the other parties of record, the hearings board if one is involved, and the office of the attorney general shall be deemed complete upon deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark.

(5) Failure to timely serve a petition on the office of the attorney general or the hearings board, if one is involved, is not grounds for dismissal of the petition; provided that service so provided does not impair the orderly conduct of judicial process; provided further that the service so provided as to the hearing board only applies to judicial proceedings pending on the effective date of this act.

(6) For the purposes of this section only, "hearings board" means an independent, quasi-judicial, multiperson entity whose sole responsibility is to determine on review in a contested matter the validity or invalidity of an order issued by another governmental entity.

Sec. 7. RCW 34.05.566 and 1989 c 175 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Within thirty days after service of the petition for judicial review, or within further time allowed by the court or by other provision of law, the agency shall transmit to the court the original or a certified copy of the agency record for judicial review of the agency action. The record shall consist of any agency documents expressing the agency action, other documents identified by the agency as having been considered by it before its action and used as a basis for its action, and any other material described in this chapter as the agency record for the type of agency action at issue, subject to the provisions of this section.

(2) If part of the record has been preserved without a transcript, the agency shall prepare a transcript for inclusion in the record transmitted to the court, except for portions that the parties stipulate to omit in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.

(3) The agency may charge a nonindigent petitioner with the reasonable costs of preparing any necessary copies and transcripts for transmittal to the court. A failure by the petitioner to pay any of this cost to the agency relieves the agency from the responsibility for preparation of the record and transmittal to the court.

(4) The record may be shortened, summarized, or organized temporarily or, by stipulation of all parties, permanently.

(5) The court may tax the cost of preparing transcripts and copies of the record:

(a) Against a party who unreasonably refuses to stipulate to shorten, summarize, or organize the record; or

(b) In accordance with any provision of law.

(6) Additions to the record pursuant to RCW 34.05.562 must be made as ordered by the court.

(7) The court may require or permit subsequent corrections or additions to the record.

(8) For the purposes of this section, agency includes hearings board as defined in RCW 34.05.542(6).

Sec. 8. RCW 42.17.310 and 1995 c 267 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The following are exempt from public inspection and copying:

(a) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients.

(b) Personal information in files maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public agency to the extent that disclosure would violate their right to privacy.

(c) Information required of any taxpayer in connection with the assessment or collection of any tax if the disclosure of the information to other persons would (i) be prohibited to such persons by RCW 82.32.330 or (ii) violate the taxpayer's right to privacy or result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the taxpayer.

(d) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by investigative, law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies vested with the responsibility to discipline members of any profession, the nondisclosure of which is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy.

(e) Information revealing the identity of persons who are witnesses to or victims of crime or who file complaints with investigative, law enforcement, or penology agencies, other than the public disclosure commission, if disclosure would endanger any person's life, physical safety, or property. If at the time a complaint is filed the complainant, victim or witness indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure, such desire shall govern. However, all complaints filed with the public disclosure commission about any elected official or candidate for public office must be made in writing and signed by the complainant under oath.

(f) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination.

(g) Except as provided by chapter 8.26 RCW, the contents of real estate appraisals, made for or by any agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property, until the project or prospective sale is abandoned or until such time as all of the property has been acquired or the property to which the sale appraisal relates is sold, but in no event shall disclosure be denied for more than three years after the appraisal.

(h) Valuable formulae, designs, drawings, and research data obtained by any agency within five years of the request for disclosure when disclosure would produce private gain and public loss.

(i) Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended except that a specific record shall not be exempt when publicly cited by an agency in connection with any agency action.

(j) Records which are relevant to a controversy to which an agency is a party but which records would not be available to another party under the rules of pretrial discovery for causes pending in the superior courts.

(k) Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites in order to avoid the looting or depredation of such sites.

(l) Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, which discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user.

(m) Financial information supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of qualifying to submit a bid or proposal for (i) a ferry system construction or repair contract as required by RCW 47.60.680 through 47.60.750 or (ii) highway construction or improvement as required by RCW 47.28.070.

(n) Railroad company contracts filed prior to July 28, 1991, with the utilities and transportation commission under RCW 81.34.070, except that the summaries of the contracts are open to public inspection and copying as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(o) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by private persons pertaining to export services provided pursuant to chapter 43.163 RCW and chapter 53.31 RCW.

(p) Financial disclosures filed by private vocational schools under chapter 28C.10 RCW.

(q) Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095.

(r) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses or individuals during application for loans or program services provided by chapters 43.163, 43.160, 43.330, and 43.168 RCW, or during application for economic development loans or program services provided by any local agency.

(s) Membership lists or lists of members or owners of interests of units in timeshare projects, subdivisions, camping resorts, condominiums, land developments, or common-interest communities affiliated with such projects, regulated by the department of licensing, in the files or possession of the department.

(t) All applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant.

(u) The residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of employees or volunteers of a public agency which are held by the agency in personnel records, employment or volunteer rosters, or mailing lists of employees or volunteers.

(v) The residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers.

(w)(i) The federal social security number of individuals governed under chapter 18.130 RCW maintained in the files of the department of health, except this exemption does not apply to requests made directly to the department from federal, state, and local agencies of government, and national and state licensing, credentialing, investigatory, disciplinary, and examination organizations; (ii) the current residential address and current residential telephone number of a health care provider governed under chapter 18.130 RCW maintained in the files of the department, if the provider requests that this information be withheld from public inspection and copying, and provides to the department an accurate alternate or business address and business telephone number. On or after January 1, 1995, the current residential address and residential telephone number of a health care provider governed under RCW 18.130.140 maintained in the files of the department shall automatically be withheld from public inspection and copying if the provider has provided the department with an accurate alternative or business address and telephone number.

(x) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy as provided in RCW 69.45.090.

(y) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy or the department of health and its representatives as provided in RCW 69.41.044, 69.41.280, and 18.64.420.

(z) Financial information, business plans, examination reports, and any information produced or obtained in evaluating or examining a business and industrial development corporation organized or seeking certification under chapter 31.24 RCW.

(aa) Financial and commercial information supplied to the state investment board by any person when the information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when disclosure would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information.

(bb) Financial and valuable trade information under RCW 51.36.120.

(cc) Client records maintained by an agency that is a domestic violence program as defined in RCW 70.123.020 or 70.123.075 or a rape crisis center as defined in RCW 70.125.030.

(dd) Information that identifies a person who, while an agency employee: (i) Seeks advice, under an informal process established by the employing agency, in order to ascertain his or her rights in connection with a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW against the person; and (ii) requests his or her identity or any identifying information not be disclosed.

(ee) Investigative records compiled by an employing agency conducting a current investigation of a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW or of a possible violation of other federal, state, or local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.

(ff) Business related information protected from public inspection and copying under RCW 15.86.110.

(gg) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the clean Washington center in applications for, or delivery of, program services under chapter 70.95H RCW.

(hh) Information and documents created specifically for, and collected and maintained by a quality improvement committee pursuant to RCW 43.70.510, regardless of which agency is in possession of the information and documents.

(ii) Information submitted to an agency to comply with chapter 19.85 RCW and RCW 34.05.328.

(2) Except for information described in subsection (1)(c)(i) of this section and confidential income data exempted from public inspection pursuant to RCW 84.40.020, the exemptions of this section are inapplicable to the extent that information, the disclosure of which would violate personal privacy or vital governmental interests, can be deleted from the specific records sought. No exemption may be construed to permit the nondisclosure of statistical information not descriptive of any readily identifiable person or persons.

(3) Inspection or copying of any specific records exempt under the provisions of this section may be permitted if the superior court in the county in which the record is maintained finds, after a hearing with notice thereof to every person in interest and the agency, that the exemption of such records is clearly unnecessary to protect any individual's right of privacy or any vital governmental function.

(4) Agency responses refusing, in whole or in part, inspection of any public record shall include a statement of the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of the record (or part) and a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record withheld.

Sec. 9. RCW 4.84.350 and 1995 c 403 s 903 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, a court shall award a qualified party that prevails in a judicial review of an agency action fees and other expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, unless the court finds that the agency action was substantially justified or that circumstances make an award unjust. A qualified party shall be considered to have prevailed if the qualified party obtained relief on a significant issue that achieves some benefit that the qualified party sought.

(2) The amount awarded a qualified party under subsection (1) of this section shall not exceed:

(a) For cases involving rule validity:

(i) Twenty-five thousand dollars for superior court cases; and

(ii) Fifteen thousand dollars for appeals to the court of appeals and the supreme court; and

(b) For cases involving other agency action:

(i) Fifty thousand dollars for superior court cases; and

(ii) Fifteen thousand dollars for appeals to the court of appeals and the supreme court.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply unless all parties challenging the agency action are qualified parties. If two or more qualified parties join in an action, the award in total shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. The court, in its discretion, may reduce the amount to be awarded pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, or deny any award, to the extent that a qualified party during the course of the proceedings engaged in conduct that unduly or unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy.

(4) Qualified parties shall receive awards under this section for cases pending July 23, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. It is the intent of the legislature through the enactment of section 6 of this act to clarify the filing procedures in RCW 34.05.542. Section 6 of this act is curative in nature and applies to all judicial proceedings pending on the effective date of this act.