Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will conduct a review of all of the provisions of chapter 352-40 WAC, Public records, and may determine the need to establish new or amend existing administration rules in this chapter.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.17.250, 79A.05.030, and 79A.05.070.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commission has determined the need to review the entire chapter for accuracy and to ensure compliance with chapter 42.17 RCW. These administrative rules explain the agency records index, the agency process and fees charged for records requested under public disclosure laws. The commission intends to update the chapter to reflect current indexing, provide for greater flexibility in charging for copies of records, present the rules in clear language, and improve the agency responsive to the citizens.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Chapter 42.17 RCW and specifically RCW 42.17.250 specifies that each state agency is to state and publish methods for public inspection and copying of public records. The state Parks and Recreation Commission intends to update this process in accordance with all provisions of chapter 42.17 RCW.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. To obtain additional information or to comment on chapter 352-40 WAC, Public records, use the following contact information: Lisa Dunn, Public Records Officer, Washington State Parks, P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, e-mail lisa.dunn@parks.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-8636, fax (360) 664-0278.

January 28, 2003

Jim French

Chief of Policy Research

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office