PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 260-24-510 Stewards and 260-08-675 Hearing before the commission, the commission intends to amend one or both of these sections to limit stays of a penalty to suspensions only. Fines will need to be paid within seven days, whether a person has challenged a steward's ruling or not. Any exceptions can only be granted by the executive secretary. The commission also intends to still allow the stewards summarily suspend a license as provided in WAC 260-24-510 (3)(o).
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 67.16.020.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The fine and the stay are two independent issues and the payment of a fine should not be delayed simply because a person has challenged a steward's ruling. The decision to grant a stay of a fine is an independent decision that needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. Simply because a challenge to a steward's ruling is filed does not automatically allow for a stay in the payment of the fine.
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.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Robert J. Lopez, Administrative Services Manager, Washington Horse Racing Commission, 6326 Martin Way, Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516-5578, phone (360) 459-6462, fax (360) 459-6461, rlopez@whrc.state.wa.us.
August 7, 2006
R. J. Lopez
Deputy Secretary