WSR 97-16-044

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

GROWTH MANAGEMENT

HEARINGS BOARDS

[Filed July 31, 1997, 10:47 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: From time to time, the joint boards (Central Puget Sound, Western and Eastern) need to amend their rules of practice and procedure to reflect changes in the law and practice.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 36.70A.270(7).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board rules have not been formally amended since adoptions to the rules in March 1997. The legislature passed ESB 6094 in January 1996 (becoming effective in July 1997). To reflect those amendments in ESB 6094, the board needs to change appropriate sections of the WAC.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The boards are quasi-judicial boards, the WACs govern only the board's practice and procedure.

Process for Developing New Rule: Draft rules amendments developed jointly by the three boards based on experience and in reaction to legislation.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ed McGuire, Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board, 2329 One Union Square, 600 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101-1129, (206) 389-2625, FAX (260) [(206)] 389-2588.

July 31, 1997

E. McGuire