WSR 97-22-030

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

OFFICE OF MINORITY AND

WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

[Filed October 30, 1997, 1:12 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Inclusion of housing authorities under the rule governing the distribution of costs of the state certification program for minority business enterprises and women's business enterprises.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 39.19.030(7).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The addition of housing authorities is consistent with the legislative intent set forth in RCW 39.19.220. It also advances the objective to equitably distribute the administrative costs of the state's certification program among the political subdivisions of the state.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by submitting written comments to Juan Huey-Ray, Business and Policy Development Manager, Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, P.O. Box 41160, Olympia, WA 98504-1160, or FAX (360) 586-7079. Persons may also call Mr. Huey-Ray at (360) 704-1188.

October 30, 1997

Clarence Gillis