On behalf of the Indiana White River State Park Development Commission ("the Commission"), I am submitting this notice in compliance with IC 4-22-2-19, which requires an agency to begin the rulemaking process not later than 60 days after the effective date of the statutes that authorize the rule, unless a notice is filed with the Publisher that includes the reasons for the noncompliance.

The Commission, whose primary purpose under IC 14-13-1 is the operation and maintenance of White River State Park ("the Park"), sought statutory authorization to adopt rules in order to establish hours of operation and regulate activities at the Park. Permissive rulemaking authority "to adopt rules to carry out its purposes" was given by IC 14-13-1-42, effective July 1, 2014.

The Commission did not begin the formal rulemaking process within 60 days of the authorizing statute. Rather, it sought input and collaboration, not only from Park staff but also from key players, including the Capitol Police, and asked the Office of the Attorney General to assist in the rulemaking formalities. It received an initial waiver from the regulatory moratorium on September 8, 2015. During the ensuing months, there was a change in the deputy attorney general who was working with the Park on the rulemaking, and then a change in executive directors for the Park itself resulting in delay. The Commission reviewed, commented, and revised initial drafts of rules during 2016.

On November 18, 2016, the Commission, after thoughtful and thorough consideration, felt the draft rules were appropriate for submission in connection with its request for waiver for regulatory moratorium, which was sent to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 18, 2016.

Dawn C. Tabler, Chair

Indiana White River State Park Development Commission