WSR 17-07-109

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 21, 2017, 10:34 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 222-20 WAC, Applications and notifications.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 76.09.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The forest practices board has identified a need to amend the rules to allow for electronic signature and electronic payment for forest practices applications and notifications (FPA/N).

The ability to submit electronic signatures and payments will allow applicants to submit an electronic FPA/N in addition to the current acceptable methods for submittal of an FPA/N through certified mail or hand delivery to a department of natural resources region office.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: RCW 19.360.020 provides the authority for agencies to adopt rules pertaining to electronic transactions. The procedures to use and accept electronic signatures and electronic submission will be consistent with the guidance and requirements put into place by the office of the chief information office [officer].

Process for Developing New Rule: The board will request input from interested stakeholders in the development of rule language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Mail, fax, or email comments to Patricia Anderson, Forest Practices Board, Rules Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division, 1111 Washington Street S.E., 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012, fax (360) 902-1428, email forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov.

March 8, 2017

Stephen Bernath

Chair