Subject of Possible Rule Making: The office of the attorney general (office) received a petition for rule making seeking amendments to the Model Public Records Act rules, in particular WAC 44-14-010 through 44-14-040, regarding timely and prompt responses by agencies to public records requests. The office is considering amendments to the model rules to address this topic.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The office has a role through rule making to provide agencies guidance in complying with the Public Records Act (PRA). The model rules are a tool that an agency can use to align its practices with the requirements of the PRA. The office is considering amending the model rules related to timely and prompt responses to, among other things, provide clarity for agencies and requesters and address how technology and other practices may be available to assist in responding.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No federal or state agencies regulate the PRA model rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative regular rule making. The office will solicit input from stakeholders in the development of draft language and consider all comments in the adoption of final rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Christina Beusch, P.O. Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-664-3801, email Christina.Beusch@atg.wa.gov, website www.atg.wa.gov.