Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to chapter 480-120 WAC, Telephone companies and chapter 480-121 WAC, Telecommunications -- Registration, competitive classification, and price lists of telecommunications companies, will be reviewed to ascertain the most appropriate chapter for rules that more appropriately should be codified in chapter 480-121 WAC. Chapter 480-121 WAC will also be reviewed for content and readability pursuant to Executive Order 97-02, with attention to the rules' need; effectiveness and efficiency; clarity; intent and statutory authority; coordination; cost; and fairness. The effect on rules of legislation, technological changes, emerging competition, and changes in market structure will also be considered. All rules currently codified in chapter 480-121 WAC as well as registration-related rules codified in other chapters, may be affected. The commission may consider, whether additional rules on this topic may be required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current rules require an applicant to review chapters 480-120 and 480-121 WAC. The proposed rule making will aim to group all registration and classification rules appropriately for broader understanding. Executive Order 97-02 requires a review of agency rules to determine whether changes are needed.

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

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments. The commission has scheduled a stakeholder workshop and will pursue consensus among affected interests regarding any rule proposal.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication: Comment Deadline: January 14, 2000.

Stakeholder Workshop: Tuesday, February 15, 2000, 9:00 a.m., Room 206, WUTC, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA.

Interested persons may contact the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150.

WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments in response to the CR-101 from persons interested in the subject matter of this proposed rule making may be filed with the commission secretary, referencing Docket No. UT-991922, not later than January 14, 2000. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file an original and ten copies of their written comments. The commission also requests, but does not require, that comments be provided on a 3 1/2 inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in WordPerfect version 5.1, 6.0 or 6.1, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter's name and type of software used. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. Interested persons may file additional written comments in response to any such invitation. Interested persons may also attend and participate in the workshop scheduled.

NOTICE OF WORKSHOP: A workshop will be held on February 15, 2000, beginning at 9:00 a.m., in the Commission's Hearing Room, Room 206, Second Floor, Chandler Plaza, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA. The commission's teleconference bridge line will be available for this workshop. A limited number of teleconference ports are available and will be assigned one to an organization, on a first come first served basis. Persons wishing to attend via the teleconference bridge line must contact Nancy Moen at (360) 664-1140 no later than 5:00 p.m., February 11, 2000. Questions may be addressed to Fred Ottavelli at

(360) 664-1297 or e-mail at <fottavel@wutc.wa.gov>.

December 23, 1999

Paul Curl

for Carole Washburn

Secretary

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office