PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Increase bail bond agent and agency application and renewal fees to defray costs of administering the bail bond agents program. Also to clarify and mitigate accounting and record keeping under RCW 18.185.100.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.185 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under the provisions of RCW 43.24.086, the cost of each professional licensing program shall be borne by the member of the professions. The director of the Department of Licensing is charged with setting fees at a level sufficient to defray the costs of administering the program. Projected revenue for the 2001-03 biennium from licensing fees is not sufficient to cover projected operating costs for the bail bond agents program. Also, evidence from audits suggests that bail bond agencies do not fully understand bookkeeping requirements under the statute and the program intends to add clear instructions in rule to better define the RCW and for increased protection of customer funds.
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 by contacting Mary Haglund, Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9649, Olympia, WA 98506-9649, phone (360) 664-6624, fax (360) 570-7888.
October 22, 2001
Mary Haglund
Program Manager