WSR 17-06-066

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Order 16-14—Filed February 28, 2017, 4:34 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of ecology is beginning a rule making to amend chapter 173-03 WAC, Public records, the purpose of this chapter is to implement the requirements of the Public Records Act including the process the agency uses for disclosing records. This update will modernize the rule to reflect current law, technology, and processes.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.56.100 Public Records Act—Protection of public records—Public access.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rule has not been updated since 1998 and needs to reflect current law, technology, and processes. The rule also contains outdated information about ecology programs and staff, which will be made current.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: There are no other state, federal, or local agencies that regulate public records disclosure for ecology.

Process for Developing New Rule: Ecology will follow the standard process for the adoption of rules under the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW).

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can stay informed about the rule making and public involvement opportunities by visiting the ecology web site at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/wac17303/1614ov.html. If you wish to receive email notices, please contact Linda Anderson, Department of Ecology, Administration Services, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6040, email linda.anderson@ecy.wa.gov.

February 22, 2017

Jason Howell

Information Governance Manager