APA Comment Letter (General)

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:

a. Comment 1: [________________________________]

b. Comment 2: [________________________________]

c. Comment 3: [________________________________]

d. 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:

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

b. Under RCW 34.05.322, a rule may not exceed the agency's statutory authority or be inconsistent with the policy or provisions of the statute being interpreted or implemented. The proposed rule [________________________________].

c. If this is a "significant legislative rule" under RCW 34.05.328, the agency must determine that the rule is within the intent of the legislature, that the rule is needed to achieve the purpose stated in the authorizing statute, and that the probable benefits of the rule outweigh the probable costs. The proposed rule [________________________________].

10. Impact Analysis:

a. Economic impact: [________________________________]

b. Regulatory burden: [________________________________]

c. Impact on small businesses: [________________________________] (Note: RCW 19.85.030 (Regulatory Fairness Act) requires agencies to reduce the impact of rules on small businesses by considering less burdensome alternatives.)

d. Cost-benefit analysis: [________________________________] (Note: RCW 34.05.328(1)(c) requires a determination that the probable benefits of the rule are greater than its probable costs for significant legislative rules.)

e. 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:

a. Within legislative intent: ☐ Yes / ☐ No because: [________________________________]

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Pursuant to the Regulatory Fairness Act (RCW 19.85), Commenter provides the following comments on the agency's Small Business Economic Impact Statement:

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

VII. COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (IF APPLICABLE)

28. If the proposed rule may have a significant environmental impact:

a. ☐ The agency should prepare a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review
b. ☐ The agency's SEPA determination was incorrect because: [________________________________]
c. ☐ Environmental impacts not adequately considered: [________________________________]

VIII. REQUEST TO TESTIFY AT PUBLIC HEARING

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

a. Estimated testimony length: [____] minutes
b. Topics to be addressed: [________________________________]
c. ☐ 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:

a. ☐ Withdraw the proposed rule and the CR-102
b. ☐ Adopt the proposed rule with the modifications recommended herein
c. ☐ File a supplemental CR-102 with a revised proposal and new comment period
d. ☐ Extend the comment period
e. ☐ Other: [________________________________]

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

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________
[Name]
[Title]
[Organization]
[Address Line 1]
[Address Line 2]
[City, State ZIP]
[Telephone]
[Email]

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-103 Rulemaking Order (adoption)

COMMON ISSUES CHECKLIST

☐ Statutory Authority — Does the agency have authority under its enabling statute (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?
☐ Effective Date — Is the implementation timeline reasonable (28-180 days after CR-102)?
☐ 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 Waiting Period — CR-102 cannot be filed until at least 30 days after CR-101 is published
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 Period — Agency must allow public comment; rules cannot be adopted fewer than 28 days or more than 180 days after the CR-102 is 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 the Regulatory Fairness Act (RCW 19.85) for rules that impose more than minor costs on small businesses
8. CR-103 (Rulemaking Order) — Filed with the Code Reviser; permanently adopts the rule; published in the WSR
9. Effective Date — Rule takes effect 31 days after filing, unless a later date is specified or the rule qualifies for an earlier effective date
10. Codification — Adopted rules are codified in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) by the Code Reviser

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Washington Administrative Procedure Act: RCW 34.05
• Rulemaking Procedures: RCW 34.05.320-34.05.395
• Significant Legislative Rules: RCW 34.05.328
• Regulatory Fairness Act: RCW 19.85
• 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.