APA Comment Letter (General) - Washington

PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULEMAKING

WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT — RCW 34.05.320

RULEMAKING INFORMATION

COMMENT LETTER

Date: [__/__/____]

Via: ☐ U.S. Mail ☐ Email ☐ Electronic submission ☐ Hand delivery ☐ Facsimile

[Agency Name]
[________________________________]
Attn: [________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[City, State ZIP]

Email (if applicable): [________________________________]

Re: Proposed Rulemaking — CR-102

• WSR Citation: WSR [________________________________]
• CR-102 Filing Date: [__/__/____]
• WAC Citation: WAC [________________________________]
• Proposed Rule Title/Subject: [________________________________]
• Public Hearing Date/Time: [________________________________]
• Public Hearing Location: [________________________________]
• Comment Deadline: [__/__/____]
• CR-101 Filing (Preproposal): WSR [________________________________], filed [__/__/____]

Dear [________________________________] (Agency Contact / Rules Coordinator):

I. IDENTIFICATION OF COMMENTER

1. The following comment is submitted by [________________________________] ("Commenter") regarding the above-referenced Proposed Rulemaking (CR-102) published in the Washington State Register.

2. Commenter is a ☐ individual / ☐ business entity / ☐ trade or professional association / ☐ nonprofit organization / ☐ governmental entity / ☐ law firm / ☐ other: [________________________________].

3. Commenter's address is [________________________________], [________________________________], Washington [____].

4. Contact person: [________________________________]
   - Telephone: [________________________________]
   - Email: [________________________________]

5. Commenter's interest in this rulemaking: [________________________________]

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF COMMENTS

6. Commenter respectfully submits the following principal comments and recommendations:

• Comment 1: [________________________________]

• Comment 2: [________________________________]

• Comment 3: [________________________________]

• Comment 4: [________________________________]

III. DETAILED COMMENTS AND ANALYSIS

A. Comment on Proposed WAC [________________________________]

7. Proposed Rule Text (Section/Subsection): [________________________________]

8. Specific Concern: [________________________________]

9. Legal Authority Analysis:

• The proposed rule ☐ exceeds / ☐ is consistent with / ☐ is in tension with the Agency's statutory authority under RCW [________________________________].

• For a statute enacted after July 23, 1995, RCW 34.05.322 bars an agency from relying solely on a statement of intent or purpose, the agency's enabling provisions, or a combination of those provisions as authority for a rule. The specific substantive authority identified by the Agency is [________________________________].

• If RCW 34.05.328 applies to this agency and rule, the agency must state the statute's general goals and specific objectives, determine that the rule is needed, analyze alternatives, determine that probable benefits exceed probable costs, and select the least burdensome compliant alternative. The proposed rule [________________________________].

10. Impact Analysis:

• Economic impact: [________________________________]

• Regulatory burden: [________________________________]

• Impact on small businesses: [________________________________] (When RCW 19.85.030 requires a small business economic impact statement, the agency must assess disproportionate impact and, where legal and feasible, consider and use cost-reduction methods or explain why it cannot.)

• Cost-benefit analysis: [________________________________] (For a covered rule, RCW 34.05.328(1)(c) requires notice that a preliminary analysis is available, and subsection (1)(d) requires the benefits-greater-than-costs determination.)

• Impact on the environment: [________________________________]

11. Recommended Change: [________________________________]

12. Supporting Data/Evidence: [________________________________]

B. Comment on Proposed WAC [________________________________]

13. Proposed Rule Text: [________________________________]

14. Specific Concern: [________________________________]

15. Legal Authority Analysis: [________________________________]

16. Impact Analysis: [________________________________]

17. Recommended Change: [________________________________]

18. Supporting Data/Evidence: [________________________________]

C. Comment on Proposed WAC [________________________________]

19. Proposed Rule Text: [________________________________]

20. Specific Concern: [________________________________]

21. Legal Authority Analysis: [________________________________]

22. Impact Analysis: [________________________________]

23. Recommended Change: [________________________________]

24. Supporting Data/Evidence: [________________________________]

IV. PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE RULE LANGUAGE (IF APPLICABLE)

25. Commenter proposes the following alternative language:

Current Proposed Language:

[________________________________]

Commenter's Recommended Language:

[________________________________]

Explanation of Changes: [________________________________]

V. COMMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE ANALYSIS (IF APPLICABLE)

26. If the proposed rule is a "significant legislative rule" under RCW 34.05.328, Commenter provides the following comments on the agency's required analysis:

• Statutory goals and objectives stated in detail: ☐ Yes / ☐ No because: [________________________________]

• Needed to achieve statutory purpose: ☐ Yes / ☐ No because: [________________________________]

• Probable benefits outweigh probable costs: ☐ Yes / ☐ No because: [________________________________]

• Least burdensome alternative selected: ☐ Yes / ☐ No because: [________________________________]

• Determination of costs: ☐ Accurate / ☐ Inaccurate because: [________________________________]

• Determination of benefits: ☐ Accurate / ☐ Overestimated because: [________________________________]

VI. COMMENTS ON SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT (SBEIS)

27. If RCW 19.85.030 requires a Small Business Economic Impact Statement because the proposal imposes more than minor costs on businesses in an industry, or because the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee requested one, Commenter provides the following comments:

• ☐ The proposed rule will impose disproportionate costs on small businesses
• ☐ The agency's cost estimates are inaccurate because: [________________________________]
• ☐ Less burdensome alternatives that would achieve the regulatory objective: [________________________________]
• ☐ Reduced reporting/recordkeeping for small businesses: [________________________________]
• ☐ Less frequent compliance requirements for small businesses: [________________________________]
• ☐ Performance-based rather than prescriptive standards: [________________________________]
• ☐ Exemptions or reduced fees for small businesses: [________________________________]
• ☐ The agency failed to prepare a SBEIS when one was required because: [________________________________]

VII. COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (IF APPLICABLE)

28. Complete this optional section only after identifying the agency's current official environmental-review authority, any exemption, and the determination actually made for this proposal:

• ☐ The agency's environmental-review pathway or exemption is: [________________________________]
• ☐ The agency's determination was incorrect because: [________________________________]
• ☐ Environmental impacts not adequately considered: [________________________________]

VIII. REQUEST TO TESTIFY AT PUBLIC HEARING

29. ☐ Commenter intends to testify at the public hearing scheduled for [__/__/____] at [________________________________].

• Estimated testimony length: [____] minutes
• Topics to be addressed: [________________________________]
• ☐ Written testimony will be submitted

IX. REQUEST FOR COMMENT PERIOD EXTENSION

30. ☐ Commenter requests an extension of the public comment period.

Justification: [________________________________]

X. CONCLUSION

31. For the foregoing reasons, Commenter respectfully requests that the Agency:

• ☐ Withdraw the proposed rule and the CR-102
• ☐ Adopt the proposed rule with the modifications recommended herein
• ☐ File a supplemental CR-102 under RCW 34.05.340 and reopen public comment on the proposed variance
• ☐ Extend the comment period
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

32. Commenter appreciates the opportunity to participate in this rulemaking and is available to provide additional information, data, or testimony.

Respectfully submitted,

Date: [__/__/____]

COMMENT PREPARATION CHECKLIST

☐ Identify the proposed rule in the Washington State Register by WSR number
☐ Confirm the CR-102 filing date and verify the comment deadline
☐ Obtain the full text of the proposed rule from the agency or WSR
☐ Review the CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry for background
☐ Review the CR-102 for the agency's stated reasons, statutory authority, and hearing details
☐ Determine whether the rule is a "significant legislative rule" under RCW 34.05.328
☐ Review the agency's cost-benefit analysis (if significant legislative rule)
☐ Review the Small Business Economic Impact Statement (SBEIS) under the Regulatory Fairness Act
☐ Identify all sections of the proposed rule that affect your interests
☐ Research the agency's statutory authority under the RCW
☐ Gather supporting data, economic analyses, and expert opinions
☐ Draft specific recommended changes with alternative WAC language
☐ Review comments for accuracy and professionalism
☐ Confirm the correct submission method and agency contact
☐ Retain a dated copy of the submitted comment and proof of delivery
☐ Calendar the comment deadline and public hearing date
☐ Monitor the WSR for the CR-103P Permanent Rulemaking Order (adoption)

COMMON ISSUES CHECKLIST

☐ Statutory Authority — Has the agency identified specific substantive authority, without relying solely on post-1995 intent or enabling provisions contrary to RCW 34.05.322?
☐ Legislative Intent — Is the rule within the intent of the authorizing legislation?
☐ Significant Legislative Rule — Has the agency met the requirements of RCW 34.05.328?
☐ Cost-Benefit Analysis — Do the benefits outweigh the costs for significant rules?
☐ Constitutional Issues — Does the rule raise due process or other constitutional concerns?
☐ Vagueness — Are the requirements clear and definite?
☐ Consistency — Is the rule consistent with other WAC provisions and RCW?
☐ Federal Preemption — Does the rule conflict with federal law or regulations?
☐ Small Business Impact — Has the agency complied with the Regulatory Fairness Act (RCW 19.85)?
☐ Environmental Impact — Has the agency completed SEPA review if applicable?
☐ Enforceability — Are compliance obligations practical and enforceable?
☐ Adoption and Effective Date — Is adoption within RCW 34.05.335's notice and 180-day limits, and is the effective date consistent with RCW 34.05.380?
☐ Least Burdensome Alternative — Has the agency selected the least burdensome alternative?

WASHINGTON RULEMAKING PROCESS OVERVIEW

1. CR-101 (Preproposal Statement of Inquiry) — Filed with the Code Reviser, published in the WSR; announces the agency's intent to initiate rulemaking; invites public participation
2. 30-Day Prenotice Period When Required — When RCW 34.05.310 applies, CR-101 must be published at least 30 days before CR-102; check the subsection (4) exceptions
3. CR-102 (Proposed Rulemaking) — Filed with the Code Reviser, published in the WSR; includes the proposed rule text, public hearing date, and comment information
4. Public Comment and Adoption Window — Written comments are accepted through the deadline in the notice; a rule may not be adopted before the noticed adoption time, and an unfiled proposal is treated as withdrawn 180 days after the text was last published
5. Public Hearing — Notice must be published at least 20 days before the hearing
6. Significant Legislative Rules (RCW 34.05.328) — Require cost-benefit analysis, determination that benefits outweigh costs, and selection of the least burdensome alternative
7. Small Business Economic Impact Statement — Required under RCW 19.85.030 for proposals imposing more than minor costs on businesses in an industry, subject to the statutory pilot-process exception, or when requested by the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee
8. CR-103P (Permanent Rulemaking Order) — Filed with the Code Reviser; adopts the permanent rule and is published in the WSR
9. Effective Date — A nonemergency rule ordinarily takes effect after the 30-day period following filing expires; RCW 34.05.380 permits a later date and specified earlier-date exceptions
10. Codification — Adopted rules are codified in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) by the Code Reviser

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Washington Administrative Procedure Act — Chapter 34.05 RCW
• Prenotice inquiry — RCW 34.05.310
• Notice of proposed rule — RCW 34.05.320
• Scope of rulemaking authority — RCW 34.05.322
• Public participation — RCW 34.05.325
• Significant legislative rules — RCW 34.05.328
• Adoption timing and withdrawal — RCW 34.05.335
• Variance and supplemental notice — RCW 34.05.340
• Filing and effective dates — RCW 34.05.380
• Small-business impact and mitigation — RCW 19.85.030
• Small-business impact statement contents — RCW 19.85.040
• Washington State Register rule-making help
• Washington State Register: https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/washington-state-register/
• Washington Administrative Code: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/
• Code Reviser's Office: https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/
• Agency Rulemaking Help: https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/washington-state-register/rule-making-help/

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be used without review by a qualified attorney licensed in Washington.