WSR 17-07-137

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 22, 2017, 11:48 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Debarment fines.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SHB 1447 chapter 24 [44], Laws of 2015, amends RCW 36.26.200. This change directs the department to establish a civil fining process by rule.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SHB 1447 amends and authorizes the department of enterprise services, in debarment actions, to impose fines as an alternative to debarment. The legislation requires the department to establish the fine process by rule.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state and federal agencies regulate this subject.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency staff will hold a series of workshops in order to develop a proposed rule with anyone interested. An opportunity will also be provided for anyone to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and present oral testimony at the public hearings. The public is 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 by contacting Jack Zeigler, policy and rules manager, phone (360) 407-9209, email jack.zeigler@des.wa.gov. Anyone interested can participate in the development of the proposed rule before publication. Information about the rule making will be posted on the agency rule-making web site http://www.des.wa.gov/about/LawsRules/Pages/RuleMaking.aspx. In addition, you can identify yourself as an interested party by sending an email to rules@des.wa.gov with your contact information and typing "Interested party – debarment fines rulemaking" in the subject line.

March 22, 2017

Jack Zeigler

Policy and Rules Manager