WSR 06-04-081

PROPOSED RULES

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION


[ Filed January 31, 2006, 3:55 p.m. ]

     Continuance of WSR 05-23-039 and 05-24-060.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-19-077.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 390-05-400 relating to changes in the I-134 dollar amounts subject to inflationary adjustment under RCW 42.17.690; WAC 390-12-010 relating to the regular meetings of the public disclosure commission (PDC); and WAC 390-37-136 relating to production of documents and use at hearing (adjudicative proceeding).

     Hearing Location(s): Public Disclosure Commission, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA 98504, on February 23, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: February 23, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: Doug Ellis, Assistant Director, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail dellis@pdc.wa.gov, fax (206) 753-1112, by February 20, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Chip Beatty by phone (360) 586-0544.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: To adjust the I-134 dollar amounts based on changes in economic conditions as reflected in the inflationary index used by the commission (WAC 390-05-400); to adjust the PDC regular meeting schedule to accommodate commissioner scheduling conflicts (WAC 390-12-010); and to incorporate modifications for the submission of hearing materials to include timing, electronic format, spacing, page limits, etc.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: To comply with RCW 42.17.690 providing inflationary adjustments to the I-134 dollar amounts; to accommodate commissioner scheduling conflicts; and to update outdated rule in light of current technology and clarify the process for submission of hearing materials.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.17.370.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 42.17.370.

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

     Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The rule amendments are needed to implement RCW 42.17.690; to comply with RCW 42.30.075; and to update procedures for the production and use of documents at hearings of the PDC.

     Name of Proponent: Public disclosure commission, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Doug Ellis, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-2735; and Enforcement: Phil Stutzman, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-8853.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The implementation of this rule amendment has minimal impact on small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The public disclosure commission (PDC) is not an agency listed in subsection (5)(a)(i) of section 201. Further, the PDC does not voluntarily make section 201 applicable to this rule adoption pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(i) of section 201, and, to date, JARRC has not made section 201 application [applicable] to this rule adoption.

January 30, 2006

Vicki Rippie

Executive Director

OTS-8482.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-22-064, filed 11/4/03, effective 1/1/04)

WAC 390-05-400   Changes in dollar amounts.   Pursuant to the requirement in RCW 42.17.690 that the commission biennially revise the dollar amounts found in Initiative 134 to reflect changes in economic conditions, the following revisions are made:


Code Section Subject Matter Amount Enacted or Last Revised ((2004)) 2006 Revision

.020

Definition of "Independent
Expenditure" $((625)) 675 $((675)) 700
.125 Reimbursement of candidate for loan to
own campaign $((3,800)) 4,000 $((4,000)) 4,300
.180(1) Report --
Applicability of provisions to
Persons who made contributions $((12,500)) 13,500 $((13,500)) 14,500
Persons who made independent
expenditures $((625)) 675 $((675)) 700
.640(1) Contribution Limits--
Candidates for state leg. office $((625)) 700 (($675))
Candidates for other state office $((1,250)) 1,400 (($1,350))
.640(2) Contribution Limits--
State official up for recall or pol comm.
supporting recall--
State Legislative Office $((625)) 700 (($675))
Other State Office $((1,250)) 1,400 (($1,350))
.640(3) Contribution Limits--
Contributions made by political parties
and caucus committees
State parties and caucus committees ((.64)) .70 per voter ((.68 per voter))
County and leg. district parties ((.32)) .35 per voter ((.34 per voter))
Limit for all county and leg. district
parties to a candidate ((.32)) .35 per voter ((.34 per voter))
.640(4) Contribution Limits--
Contributions made by pol. parties and caucus
committees to state official up for recall or
committee supporting recall
State parties and caucuses ((.64)) .70 per voter ((.68 per voter))
County and leg. district parties ((.32)) .35 per voter ((.34 per voter))
Limit for all county and leg. district parties
to state official up for recall or pol. comm.
supporting recall ((.32)) .35 per voter ((.34 per voter))
.640 (6) Limits on contributions to political parties
and caucus committees
To caucus committee $((625)) 700 (($675))
To political party $((3,200)) 3,500 (($3,400))
.740 Contribution must be made by
written instrument $((60)) 65 $((65)) 70

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.690. 03-22-064, § 390-05-400, filed 11/4/03, effective 1/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370 and 42.17.690. 01-22-050, § 390-05-400, filed 10/31/01, effective 1/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). 00-04-058, § 390-05-400, filed 1/28/00, effective 3/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.690. 98-08-069, § 390-05-400, filed 3/30/98, effective 5/1/98; 96-04-021, § 390-05-400, filed 1/30/96, effective 3/1/96.]

OTS-8483.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-12-053, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/28/04)

WAC 390-12-010   Public disclosure commission -- Regular meetings.   Pursuant to RCW 42.30.075, regular meetings of the public disclosure commission are scheduled to be held on the fourth ((Tuesday)) Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. unless a different time is noted on an agenda, except November and December when a combined meeting is scheduled to be held during the first or second week of December. The meetings shall be held in the commission meeting room, second floor, Evergreen Plaza Building, 711 Capitol Way, Olympia, Washington, unless circumstances require relocating to another site. If relocating is required, the meeting shall be held at a place designated by the executive director of the commission.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). 04-12-053, § 390-12-010, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.390. 94-05-010, § 390-12-010, filed 2/3/94, effective 3/6/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). 85-15-020 (Order 85-03), § 390-12-010, filed 7/9/85; 82-05-001 (Order 82-01), § 390-12-010, filed 2/4/82; 80-06-119 (Order 80-06), § 390-12-010, filed 5/30/80; 79-10-070 (Order 79-06), § 390-12-010, filed 9/19/79; Order 62, § 390-12-010, filed 8/26/75; Order 14, § 390-12-010, filed 7/31/73.]

OTS-8514.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-22-065, filed 11/4/03, effective 12/5/03)

WAC 390-37-136   Production of documents and use at hearing and other hearing procedures (adjudicative proceedings).   (1) ((Upon request by either the agency or its legal representative, or the party against whom the enforcement action is being taken or his/her representative, copies of all materials to be presented at the adjudicative proceeding shall be provided to the requester within seven calendar days of the request but, for good cause shown, not less than three business days prior to the date of the hearing.

     (2) When exhibits of a documentary character are to be offered into evidence at the adjudicative proceeding, the party offering the exhibit shall provide a minimum of ten copies.

     (3) If documentary evidence has not been exchanged prior to the hearing under subsection (1) of this section, the parties shall arrive at the hearing location in sufficient time before the time scheduled for the adjudicative proceeding for the purpose of exchanging copies of exhibits to be introduced.)) Unless a prehearing order states otherwise, the provisions of this rule apply to evidence and written argument (legal briefs) filed and served in hearings (adjudicative proceedings). Parties or the executive director may request a prehearing conference if provisions of this rule need to be adjusted or if the provisions are not adhered to by the parties.

     (2) The parties are encouraged to exchange copies of proposed exhibits, exhibit lists and witness lists, at least eight calendar days prior to the date of the hearing. The parties are encouraged to exchange documents by e-mail. The parties are encouraged to confer and determine whether there are any objections to the evidence and whether any agreements or stipulations can be reached regarding proposed exhibits, witnesses, and legal and factual issues.

     (3)(a) Unless the commission determines otherwise, when evidence is to be offered at the adjudicative proceeding or when briefs are to be submitted at the adjudicative proceeding, the party offering the evidence or brief shall file a copy of proposed exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, and briefs with the commission via an e-mail to the executive director or his or her designee by the date and time designated by the executive director or designee, which is typically by 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time at least eight calendar days prior to the hearing. The e-mail shall provide the name of the party submitting the documents, the total number of pages, the software used to prepare the document, and the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the person sending the e-mail message.

     (b) In the event electronic submission is not readily available to a pro se respondent or the evidence is not suited to e-mail transmission, other means of providing these materials to the commission may be approved by the chair or the executive director, or their designees if requested in advance of the date and time in (a) of this subsection.

     (c) On the day the parties provide these materials electronically to the commission, they shall also mail or otherwise deliver a paper (or hard copy) set of the materials to the commission.

     (d) The parties shall confirm in advance with the executive director that any documents provided electronically are able to be accessed by software available at the agency. If they are not accessible, the executive director shall direct how the documents are to be submitted.

     (e) The documents are considered filed when received during actual business hours at the commission office. If received after actual business hours, they will be deemed filed the next business day.

     (4) Respondent's exhibits shall be numbered R-1, R-2, etc. Commission staff exhibits shall be numbered S-1, S-2, etc. Jointly submitted exhibits shall be numbered J-1, J-2, etc. If an exhibit is not jointly submitted but there is no objection to it by the responding party, the party offering the exhibit shall designate agreed-to exhibits on the party's exhibit list.

     (5) Briefs shall contain the name of the respondent in the caption and the cause number. Briefs shall be no more than twenty-five pages, double-spaced, excluding attachments or exhibits.

     (6) The parties shall inform the executive director of any special equipment necessary for the adjudicative proceeding at the time documents are filed with the commission.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. 03-22-065, § 390-37-136, filed 11/4/03, effective 12/5/03; 91-16-072, § 390-37-136, filed 8/2/91, effective 9/2/91.]