Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-09-074.

Title of Rule: Court reporter fees.

Purpose: To adjust fees in order to defray cost of administering the court reporter program and assist in reducing the revenue deficit, change the title from shorthand reporting fees to court reporter fees and eliminate temporary fees to match the 1995 changes to chapter 18.145 RCW.

Other Identifying Information: Fee adjustments are within limits of Initiative 601 and fiscal growth factor.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.145.050, 43.24.086, and 43.135.055.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.24.086.

Summary: The court reporter program is adjusting fees in order to be self-supporting per RCW 43.24.086.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The fee increase will assist in reducing the revenue deficit in the program.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Teri Osborn, Department of Licensing, Olympia, Washington, (360) 753-1061.

Name of Proponent: Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division, P.O. Box 9649, Olympia, WA 98507-9649, governmental.

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

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This rule sets fees for the court reporter program. The court reporter program proposes to adjust fees to assist in covering the actual cost of doing business as required in RCW 43.24.086, which states each business and profession must be self-supporting. Because the adjustment must be within Initiative 601, it is anticipated that the additional revenue collected will not cover all costs to the program, but will give some relief to the revenue deficit.

The rule title is inconsistent with the changes made to the RCW in 1995, which modified the reference to licensees from shorthand reporters to court reporters.

The rule also has fees for temporary certificates which were eliminated from the RCW in 1995.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Changes the title of the rule from "Shorthand reporting fees" to "Court reporter fees," adjusts fees charged for original applications, renewals, and late renewals. Also deletes fees for temporary certification as that section of the RCW is no longer valid.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Cost of compliance of the fee increase is below the threshold in the table of minor and negligible impact as defined by the Business Assistance Center's Guide to Facilitating Regulatory Fairness.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. These rules are exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vi).

Hearing Location: Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division, Conference Room #1, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, WA 98501, on July 22, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Teri Osborn by July 14, 1998, TDD (360) 526-2788, or (360) 753-1061.

Submit Written Comments to: Teri Osborn, Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division, Court Reporter Section, P.O. Box 9649, Olympia, WA 98507-9649, FAX (360) 664-2550, by July 14, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: July 23, 1998.

June 4, 1998

Mary Jelvik

Administrator

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 90-10-009, filed 4/20/90, effective 5/21/90)

WAC 308-14-200  ((Shorthand reporting)) Court reporter fees. The following fees shall be charged by the ((professional licensing services)) business and professions division, department of licensing:

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.145 RCW and RCW 43.24.086. 90-10-009, § 308-14-200, filed 4/20/90, effective 5/21/90.]