WSR 02-11-056

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

NATURAL RESOURCES

[ Order 707 -- Filed May 10, 2002, 1:42 p.m. ]

     Title of Rule: WAC 332-10-041 Meetings of the Board of Natural Resources.

     Purpose: To amend the rule to allow board member participation at board meetings by telephone or other electronic means.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.30.150 (5), (6), (9), and 42.30.030.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.30.150 (5), (6), (9), and 42.30.030.

     Summary: The amended rule will provide for members of the Board of Natural Resources to participate at the board meetings and perform all officials functions of their duties by telephone or other electronic means so as to ensure that those attending the public meeting can hear the discussions consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Efficient use of modern technology to reduce costs and provide a reasonable alternative for board members to participate in board meetings and function in their official capacity without being physically present at the meeting and while fully complying with the public's right to open public meetings.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Christa Thompson, P.O. Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504-0100, (360) 586-3511; and Implementation: Doug Sutherland, P.O. Box 47001, Olympia, WA 98504-7001, (360) 902-1004.

     Name of Proponent: Washington Department of Natural Resources, governmental.

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

     Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The amended rule will provide for members of the Board of Natural Resources to participate at board meetings and perform all official functions of their duties by telephone or other electronic means so as to ensure that those attending the public meeting can hear the discussions consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

     Efficient use of modern technology to reduce costs and provide a reasonable alternative for board members to participate in board meetings and function in their official capacity without being physically present at the meeting and while fully complying with the public's right to open public meetings.

     Proposal does not change existing rules.

NOTICE

     THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THE USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO David Dietzman, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015 , AND RECEIVED BY July 22, 2002.


May 10, 2002

Doug Sutherland

Commissioner of Public Lands


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 606, filed 10/2/92)

WAC 332-10-041   Meetings of board of natural resources.   (1) Regular meetings of the board of Natural Resources shall be held on the first Tuesday of every month except August. If a regular meeting falls on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. A schedule of meetings will be published in the Washington Register in January of each year. Changes to the schedule will be published in the state register pursuant to RCW 42.30.075. Special meetings may be held pursuant to RCW 42.30.080. Any person may obtain information about locations and meeting times by contacting the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 47001, Olympia, Washington 98504-7001. The public is invited to attend and comment at all meetings.

     (2) Members of the Board of Natural Resources may participate by telephone in any regular or special meeting so long as a speaker phone is available at the public meeting location. To assure that all discussions comply with RCW 42.30.030, if more than one Board member is participating by telephone, then each such Board member shall use a separate telephone line or a separate telephone. If other electronic means of attending meetings from remote locations are available, Board members may employ these means so long as Board discussion can be heard by those attending the public meeting consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30. Board members participating by telephone or other electronic means may vote on any matter and shall be considered as part of the quorum.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.30.150 and 42.30.070. 92-20-060 (Order 606), § 332-10-041, filed 10/2/92, effective 11/2/92.]

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