Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-472-0040 What are the department's responsibilities in giving NSA services to me? These amendments clarify how existing eligibility rules apply to state and federal cash and food programs when an application for recertification is received after a program's certification period ends. They improve clarity and better align rule language with federal suppleme

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Commercial shellfish fees. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to the fees in WAC 246-282-990 to align with the 2026 supplemental operating budget, ESSB 5998 (chapter 268, Laws of 2026), that establishes limits on commercial shellfish fees for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-282-990. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.110 , 43.70.250 , and 69.30.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Washington health professional services (WHPS) program name change to compassion, accountability, recovery, empowerment, and safety (CARES). The Washington state board of nursing (board) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-840-750 through 246-840-790 to update the rule language by removing outdated references to WHPS following the board's September 12, 2025, decision to rename the program to CARES. The amendments replace references to

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Birthing centers; adopting rule language amendments in WAC 246-329-020 and 246-329-055 to incorporate recently passed legislation concerning accredited birthing centers. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to its birthing center licensing rules to incorporate recently passed legislation, SHB 1824 (chapter 69, Laws of 2025), concerning accredited birthing centers. Adopted rule amendments also adjust the depart

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Pierce College has engaged with the rule-making process to establish processes and procedures regarding smoking on campus. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 132K-200-010, 132K-200-020, 132K-200-030, and 132K-200-040. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 (13). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-09-131 on April 21, 2026. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0,

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: With the passage of ESHB 1296 (2025), the office of superintendent of public instruction is required to establish a process to investigate and secure equitable resolutions for two types of complaints (limited and broad) alleging willful noncompliance with the state laws listed in section 302(4) of ESHB 1296 (2025). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 392-187-005, 392-187-010, 392-187-020, 392-187-030, 392-187-035, 392-1

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Update language to align with current University of Washington operations; and update fees consistent with state law for copies of public records. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 478-276-010 Purpose, 478-276-080 Requests for public records, 478-276-085 Responses to public records requests, 478-276-090 Notice of availability, 478-276-095 Viewing appointments, 478-276-100 Copying fees, 478-276-105 Closing public

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Adopt supplemental student conduct procedures for cases involving allegations of violation of Title IX, that comply with federal regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by adding new sections on supplemental Title IX student conduct procedures. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 72-120-900, 72-120-905, 72-120-910, 72-120-915, 72-120-920, 72-120-925, 72-120-930, 72-120-935, 72-120-940, 72-120-945, a

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To update language to align with current University of Washington operations, add definitions for clarity, and remove language that duplicates law. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 478-140-022, 478-140-025, 478-140-031, and 478-140-035; repealing WAC 478-140-018, 478-140-019, 478-140-021, 478-140-024, 478-140-050, 478-140-070, and 478-140-080; and amending WAC 478-140-010 and 478-140-015. Statutory Authority for Adop

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to regulate the commercial salmon fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. These rules are part of a comprehensive suite of rule-making packages to implement the new 2026-2027 salmon seasons for Washington state developed through the broader North of Falcon (NOF) process, pursuant to the fish and wildlife commission's (commission) NOF Policy C-3608 (policy) for 2024-2028. The NOF process typically

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to regulate the commercial salmon fisheries in Puget Sound. These rules are part of a comprehensive suite of rule-making packages to implement the new 2026-2027 salmon seasons for Washington state developed through the broader North of Falcon (NOF) process, pursuant to the fish and wildlife commission's (commission) NOF Policy C-3608 (policy) for 2024-2028 and the Administrative Procedure Act, chapt

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to regulate the recreational salmon fisheries statewide. These rules are part of a comprehensive suite of rule-making packages to implement the new 2026-2027 salmon seasons for Washington state developed through the broader North of Falcon (NOF) process, pursuant to the fish and wildlife commission's (commission) NOF Policy C-3608 (policy) for 2024-2028 and the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making revises chapter 468-15 WAC to allow use of the small works roster contracting process for Washington state ferries vessels. It also replaces references to the repealed RCW 39.04.155 . Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: WAC 468-15-010, 468-15-020, and 468-15-040. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 47.01.101 , 47.28.030 , 39.04.151 , and 39.04.152 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-10-045 on May 1, 2026.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (HCA) revised WAC 182-502-0030 to clarify its authority to terminate a provider's enrollment with HCA and to clarify the impacts of terminations for cause to include any associated providers according to 42 C.F.R. Part 455. HCA revised WAC 182-502-0040 to clarify that termination for convenience is the final agency action. HCA made other changes to these rules to improve clarity and usability. Citation of Ru

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: These WAC guide law enforcement and other impacted parties on the certification hearings process. Updating WAC 139-06-080 to be in accordance with Administrative Procedure Act service rules for the filing of documents. Updating WAC 139-06-150 to be in accordance with RCW 43.101.105 . Other general or consistency updates have been included. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 139-06-080 and 139-06-150. Statutory Aut

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making creates new chapter 468-420 WAC, Event signs, banners, and decorations, by reestablishing and revising the requirements previously contained in WAC 468-95-148. The proposed rule clarifies the approval process and requirements for placing event signs, banners, and decorations on state highways. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New chapter 468-420 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 47.36.030 (3), 47.42

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making creates new chapter 468-410 WAC, Special highway uses—Special events within highway right-of-way. The purpose of this addition is to establish permitting requirements and conditions for special events conducted within a state highway right-of-way. The rule is intended to help ensure public safety and minimize disruption to highway operations. The process has been established for some time now and this rule would form

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority amended the vaccine policy for apple health (medicaid) clients to also include the Washington state department of health's recommendations. This change aligns with ESHB 2242, 2026 regular session. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-531-0100. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-10-089 on May 6, 2026. Number of Sections Ad

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Midwifery licensure requirements; removing jurisprudence examination (JP) requirement. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-834-050 Examination requirements for licensure as a midwife, and 246-834-060 Initial application requirements for licensure as a midwife, to remove the JP examination requirement for licensure as a midwife. In 2023, the legislature passed 2SHB 1724, codified as RCW 18.130.077 ,

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Update mailing address for public records requests to the executive ethics board in WAC 292-130-020 Agency description—Contact information—Public records officer. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 1 [WAC 292-130-020]. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.52.360 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-08-011 on March 19, 2026. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Rep

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Proposed rule changes to chapter 374-70 WAC, Heating oil pollution liability insurance program, reflect the legislative directive that the pollution liability insurance agency transition the heating oil insurance program to a revolving loan and grant program. The rule change also provides procedural updates to how any remaining active claims will be administered now that the transition has been completed. Citation of Rules Affected b

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Incorporation by reference of federal statutes or regulations and national consensus codes in pharmacy rules. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) adopted amendments to update references to regulations from other entities that have been incorporated into chapter 246-945 WAC that do not change the effect of the rule. The amendments include cross references to federal regulations in the following rules: • WAC 246-945-

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The partnership, prevention, and services division is revising the receiving care and behavioral rehabilitation services program in chapter 110-50 WAC to comply with the D.S. Settlement Agreement, provide additional clarity, and align with current practice. The WAC was also retitled, reorganized, and redundancies removed to provide additional clarity on the service requirements. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 110-5

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-400-0047 What is the heat and eat program and are you eligible?, and 388-450-0015 What types of income are not used by the department to figure out my benefits? These amendments are necessary to implement changes to the heat and eat program, as required by H.R.1 (P.L. 119-21), conferring the standard utility allowance only to households with an elderly or

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state liquor and cannabis board (board) is amending WAC 314-55-155 to implement ESB 5206 (chapter 378, Laws of 2025), regarding cannabis advertising. This rule making also includes updates to WAC 314-55-155 concerning limits on the value of incidental promotional items and coupons offered by cannabis retailers. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 314-55-155. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.0

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The division of child support (DCS) is amending WAC 388-14A-6200, 388-14A-6205, and 388-14A-6210 to clarify the administrative hearing rights available to a paying parent or joint account holder when DCS has issued a collection action under RCW 74.20A.080 , known as an order to withhold and deliver. The changes clarify that a timely objection under WAC 388-14A-6200 is scheduled for an administrative hearing with the office of adminis

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Home care aide certification rules amending WAC 246-980-025, 246-980-030, 246-980-040, and 246-980-065. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to implement legislation, SHB 1142 (chapter 18, Laws of 2025) and SB 5672 (chapter 341, Laws of 2025), to provide additional time for long-term care workers to become certified. The changes are necessary to provide direction for home care aide applicants, extend the certi

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: RCW 34.05.380 (3)(a), the rules implement requirements of RCW 50B.04.180 that are effective July 1, 2026. Purpose: The employment security department is adopting new rules and amendments regarding the long-term services and supports trust program (WA Cares fund) that outline requirements for out-of-state participation; provide an index of other state agen

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making adopts amendments to chapter 173-425 WAC, Outdoor burning; and chapter 173-430 WAC, Agricultural burning, to include flame cap kilns as an allowed burning device. Flame cap kilns are outdoor containers that are used for burning natural vegetation from forestry or agricultural activities. This rule making ensures flame cap kilns are only used for burning that is already legal in Washington. This rule making also makes

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To remove duplicative information regarding University of Washington operations and processes. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 478-04-035 Meetings of other university governing boards, and 478-04-040 Board of regents exercise of powers. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.20.130 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-09-038 on April 8, 2026. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Stat

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended these rules and removed short-term post-hospitalization housing from the medical respite program definition, as this housing is separate from medical respite. Medical respite is short-term recovery/rehabilitation for a client's acute medical condition. Additionally, the agency added a definition for rolling 12-month period. The agency also amended discharge and duration of services to clarif

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Washington's streamflow restoration law (RCW 90.94.030 ) requires the department of ecology (ecology) to conduct rule making after the adoption of watershed restoration plans. These plans were adopted on December 17, 2024. We are adopting the requirements in RCW 90.94.030 (4) into chapters 173-507, 173-508, 173-513, 173-514, and 173-515 WAC to fulfill our obligation under the streamflow restoration law. These requirements have been i

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 446-65-010 (1)(r) adopts certain specifically identified federal safety regulations, including 49 C.F.R. Part 391 Qualification of drivers, but does not permit intrastate drivers between the ages of 18 and 21. The federal minimum age requirement of 21, as stated in 49 C.F.R. § 391.11 (b)(1), is applied by default. This is inconsistent with Washington's longstanding practice of allowing commercial drivers between the ages of 18 an

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: SB 5843 (2024) added a provision to RCW 29A.60.200 stating that the secretary of state may examine a county's election materials and certify the county-level election results if the county canvassing board refuses to certify the election without cause. The purpose of this rule making is to detail the procedure in such a situation. The rule amendments clarify which materials contain personally identifiable information and thus cannot

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2027. Purpose: The purpose of this proposal is to clarify and refine voter intent determinations to standardize how certain marks on ballots are interpreted statewide in compliance with 52 U.S.C. § 21081 (a)(6). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 434-261-086. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 29A.04.611 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-09-053 on April 10, 2026. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The 2025 legislature passed SSB 5393, closing the Rainier school by June 30, 2027. This legislation directs that the department of social and health services will not permit "any new long-term admissions" to Rainier school as of July 27, 2025, and no new admissions as of June 30, 2027, except those clients who have return rights as defined in the bill. These rules are necessary to set standard definitions and implement the legislatio

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-412-0005 General information about your cash benefits. These amendments better align cash benefit rules with RCW 74.04.760 . Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-412-0005. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.005 , 74.04.050 , 74.04.0052 , 74.04.055 , 74.04.057 , 74.04.510 , 74.04.655 , 74.04.770 , 74.08.043 , 74.08.090 , 74.08

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 82-50-021 publishes the official lagged, semi-monthly pay dates for state officers and employees. This WAC, which provides pay dates for the current and ensuing calendar years, is amended each year to add pay dates for the ensuing year and delete the pay dates for the previous year. The purpose of this filing is to establish official pay dates for state officers and employees for calendar year 2027 and delete the obsolete pay dat

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2026. Purpose: The financial and business services division is: Revising WAC 110-50-1190 and 110-50-1200 in the managing and using unearned income and resources for foster children and youth section of these rules to reinstate the reference to retirement, survivors, and disability insurance (RSDI), also referred to as old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, which was inadvertently omitted from the most recent rules filing. Adding RSDI back into these WAC wil

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates information about the structure of Eastern Washington University, clarifies the role of the rules coordinator, and updates information about how to obtain rule-making files and indexes of agency determinations in formal administrative hearings. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 172-06-030; and amending WAC 172-06-010 and 172-06-020. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.35.120 (12) and 34.05.220 . Ad

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The legislature passed HB 1842 (2025), allowing public utility districts to own, form, or use captive insurers. Definitions were updated to support implementation of the new law. In addition, the office of the insurance commissioner is adopting this rule to give captive insurers more clarity in their audited financial statement submissions requirements and adjust reporting deadlines to streamline the process. Citation of Rules Affect

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending WAC 458-20-185 to incorporate 2025 legislation, ESSB 5814, section 301. This legislation amended the definition of "tobacco products" to include nicotine products. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-185 Tax on tobacco products. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.01.060 and 82.32.300 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-07-071 on March 17, 2026. Number of Section

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2026. Purpose: The amendments to WAC 296-16A-050 How do I apply for reimbursements?, require submitting Washington stay-at-work (WSAW) and preferred worker applications for reimbursements online. If there is a need to mail or fax an application, the amendment creates the option to opt out of submitting online by contacting the WSAW supervisor. When the department of labor and industries (department) has received mailed or faxed applications, there have been missin

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2026. Purpose: The department of labor and industries (L&I) is adopting rules to implement three bills that were passed by the Washington state legislature during the 2025 legislative session. • SHB 1121, chapter 79, Laws of 2025, requires L&I to allow minors enrolled in career and technical education programs to work the same number of hours during the school year as during school vacations, so long as the work is performed for an employer approved by the educati

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Advanced suicide prevention training requirements for mental health professionals. The department of health (department) is adopting rules to implement advanced suicide prevention training requirements for certain mental health professionals in new WAC 246-12-633, 246-12-635, and 246-12-637 as mandated by ESHB 2411 (chapter 229, Laws of 2020). The rule establishes clear standards for advanced suicide prevention training, including re

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Modifies the definition of discriminatory conduct and discriminatory treatment in the conduct standards for students. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 172-125-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.35.120 (12). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-06-018 on February 20, 2026. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Technical amendments to improve clarity and accuracy in chapter 246-12 WAC, Administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to chapter 246-12 WAC, Administrative procedures and requirements for credentialed health care providers. Amendments include updates due to recently enacted state statutes. In 2019, in response to ESHB 1768 (chapter 4