PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) is considering putting long-standing policies and practices regarding disability benefits into WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.50.050(5), chapters 41.26, 41.32, 41.35, 41.40 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: DRS has long-standing policies and practices, and petition and appeals decisions, regarding duty and nonduty disability benefits and retirement. Most of these policies and practices are not currently in WAC. Putting these into WAC will make them more accessible to the public and allow for public input as they are developed. Putting them into WAC will also be in compliance with one of the goals of regulatory reform, that is, putting long-standing policy into WAC.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: If necessary, DRS will work with the state Department of Labor and Industries in developing these WACs.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will work on the project, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General. The public is invited and encouraged to participate, as described below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. DRS encourages your active participation in the rule-making process. Anyone interested in participating should contact the rules coordinator, below. After the rule(s) is drafted, DRS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy. For more information on how to participate, please contact Merry A. Kogut, Rules Coordinator, Department of Retirement Systems, Mailstop 48380, P.O. Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380, voice (360) 664-7291, TTY (360) 586-5450, e-mail merryk@drs.wa.gov, fax (360) 753-3166.
September 25, 2003
Merry A. Kogut
Rules Coordinator