PROPOSED RULES
CLEAN AIR AGENCY
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 70.94.141(1).
Title of Rule: Amend Regulation I, Sections 3.11 and 3.25.
Purpose: To adjust the maximum civil penalty amount for inflation and to update the federal regulation reference date in order to remain current.
Other Identifying Information: Section 3.11 pertains to Civil Penalties. Section 3.25 pertains to the Federal Regulation Reference Date.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 70.94 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70.94.141.
Summary: See Purpose above.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Without the adjustment for inflation, the maximum civil penalty amount would effectively decrease each year. The federal regulation reference date needs to be kept current.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Enforcement: Jim Nolan, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 689-4053; Implementation: Dave Kircher, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 689-4050.
Name of Proponent: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, governmental.
Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The state implementation plan will be updated to reflect these amendments.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Purpose above.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This agency is not subject to the small business economic impact provision of the Administrative Procedure Act.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Pursuant to RCW 70.94.141(1), RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.
Hearing Location: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 110 Union Street, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98101, on September 25, 2003, at 9:15 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Agency Receptionist, (206) 689-4010, by September 18, 2003, TDD (800) 833-6388 or (800) 833-6385 (Braille).
Submit Written Comments to: Dennis McLerran, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 110 Union Street, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98101, fax (206) 343-7522, by September 15, 2003.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 25, 2003.
August 18, 2003
James Nolan
Director - Compliance
AMENDATORY SECTIONREGULATION I SECTION 3.11 CIVIL PENALTIES
(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of
Chapter 70.94 RCW or any of the rules or regulations in force
pursuant thereto, may incur a civil penalty in an amount not
to exceed (($13,977.00)) $14,243.00 per day for each
violation.
(b) Any person who fails to take action as specified by
an order issued pursuant to Chapter 70.94 RCW or Regulations
I, II, and III of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency shall be
liable for a civil penalty of not more than (($13,977.00))
$14,243.00 for each day of continued noncompliance.
(c) Within 15 days after receipt of a Notice and Order of Civil Penalty, the person incurring the penalty may apply in writing to the Control Officer for the remission or mitigation of the penalty. Any such request must contain the following:
(1) The name, mailing address, telephone number, and telefacsimile number (if available) of the appealing party;
(2) A copy of the Notice and Order of Civil Penalty appealed from;
(3) A short and plain statement showing the grounds upon which the appealing party considers such order to be unjust or unlawful;
(4) A clear and concise statement of facts upon which the appealing party relies to sustain his or her grounds for appeal;
(5) The relief sought, including the specific nature and extent; and
(6) A statement that the appealing party has read the notice of appeal and believes the contents to be true, followed by the party's signature.
Upon receipt of the application, the Control Officer shall remit or mitigate the penalty only upon a demonstration by the requestor of extraordinary circumstances such as the presence of information or factors not considered in setting the original penalty.
(d) Any civil penalty may also be appealed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board pursuant to Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC if the appeal is filed with the Hearings Board and served on the Agency within 30 days after receipt by the person penalized of the notice imposing the penalty or 30 days after receipt of the notice of disposition on the application for relief from penalty.
(e) A civil penalty shall become due and payable on the later of:
(1) 30 days after receipt of the notice imposing the penalty;
(2) 30 days after receipt of the notice of disposition on application for relief from penalty, if such application is made; or
(3) 30 days after receipt of the notice of decision of the Hearings Board if the penalty is appealed.
(f) If the amount of the civil penalty is not paid to the Agency within 30 days after it becomes due and payable, the Agency may bring action to recover the penalty in King County Superior Court or in the superior court of any county in which the violator does business. In these actions, the procedures and rules of evidence shall be the same as in an ordinary civil action.
(g) Civil penalties incurred but not paid shall accrue interest beginning on the 91st day following the date that the penalty becomes due and payable, at the highest rate allowed by RCW 19.52.020 on the date that the penalty becomes due and payable. If violations or penalties are appealed, interest shall not begin to accrue until the 31st day following final resolution of the appeal.
(h) To secure the penalty incurred under this section, the Agency shall have a lien on any vessel used or operated in violation of Regulations I, II, and III which shall be enforced as provided in RCW 60.36.050.
AMENDATORY SECTION
REGULATION I SECTION 3.25 FEDERAL REGULATION REFERENCE DATE
Whenever federal regulations are referenced in Regulation
I, II, or III, the effective date shall be July 1, ((2002))
2003.