Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.51.400.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To rewrite the rules for clarity and to streamline the process of awarding funding for boating safety programs including; boating safety education, information, and law enforcement programs. The expected results include: Reduction of staff, advisory committee, commissioner and applicant time committed to the grant evaluation process and increased emphasis or recruiting and funding priority programs.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Funds awarded by the commission for boating safety programs include federal funding from the aquatic resources trust fund, boating safety account. State parks coordinates with the managing federal agency, the United States Coast Guard, through an annual federal funding application and cooperative program agreement.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Public comments are encouraged. To comment in writing or request additional information, contact James Horan at Washington State Parks, P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, phone (360) 902-8580, fax (360) 753-1594.

July 30, 1998

Jim French

Senior Policy Analyst