Emergencys

Effective Date of Rule: April 11, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule reopens recreational salmon fishing in Catch Record Card Area 10 for one additional day. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-06000G; and amending WAC 220-313-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the p

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: Issuance of a formal emergency drought declaration, directed by the governor and signed by the department of ecology (ecology) director. Purpose: Ecology is adopting an emergency drought funding rule for chapter 173-167 WAC. This emergency rule describes grant applicant and project criteria for grant funds to alleviate hardship resulting from t

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to amend commercial crab fishing in Puget Sound: WAC 220-340-45500L extends the opening of Subregion 3-2 to commercial crab harvest until one hour after official sunset April 10, 2026. WAC 220-340-47000M sets reduced pot limits by area for Puget Sound commercial crab harvest effective the dates listed in amended WAC 220-340-455. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-45500K an

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: This emergency rule closes recreational salmon fishing in Catch Record Card Area 10. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-313-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and tha

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine — Agricultural pests. The department of agriculture (department) is considering establishing a quarantine against sunflower broomrape ( Orobanche cumana ). The quarantine would regulate the movement of regulated articles from, into, and within the quarantine area. The quarantine is intended to prevent the spread of sunflower broomrape by limiting the transportation of potentially infested material into other

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to amend commercial crab fishing in Puget Sound. WAC 220-340-45500K: (1) Closes Subregion 3-2 to commercial crab harvest effective one hour after official sunset on April 7, 2026; and (2) closes Subregions 3-3 and 3-4 to commercial crab harvest effective one hour after official sunset on April 15, 2026. WAC 220-340-47000L sets reduced pot limits by area for Puget Sound commercial crab harvest effectiv

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close sea urchin harvest in all areas. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-75000Z. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open razor clam harvest in Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000W; and amending WAC 220-330-160. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule opens a commercial razor clam season. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-12000Q; and amending WAC 220-340-120. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that o

Effective Date of Rule: April 2, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational halibut seasons in Marine Areas 5-10. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-314-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the ti

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: To bring Tacoma Community College's (college) student conduct code, chapter 132V-121 WAC, into compliance with the reissuing of the final rule issued by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education pursuant to its authority under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the antihazing provisions of RCW 28B.10.900 to 28B.10.908, as well as to update the college's student conduct code's adjudicative procedures. Citation of

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The Washington state legislature passed HB [2SHB] 1751, referred to as "Sam's Law," which took effect June 9, 2022. The law requires colleges to take several actions to prevent hazing, including modifying the code of student conduct. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 132V-130-020 and 132V-130-030; and amending WAC 132V-130-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 . Other Authority: HB [2SHB] 1751. Under

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule alters salmon rules and seasons in Klickitat River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time re

Effective Date of Rule: March 23, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close red sea urchin harvest in Districts 1, 2, and 4. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-75000Y; and amending WAC 220-340-750. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health,

Effective Date of Rule: March 21, 2026. Purpose: The department of children, youth, and families, licensing division is amending WAC 110-300-0025 Certified and exempt programs, based on SSB 5545, relating to modifying provisions regarding family home providers overseen and certified by a federal military service. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-300-0025. Statutory Authority for Adoption: SSB 5545, chapter 43.216 RCW. Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: To delete 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUIC) and reserve numbers within chapter 51-55 WAC. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-55-001, 51-55-002, 51-55-003, 51-55-008, 51-55-0100, 51-55-0200, 51-55-0300, 51-55-0400, 51-55-0500, 51-55-0600, 51-55-0700, 51-55-0800, 51-55-0900, and 51-55-1000. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.560 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: To update licensing requirements for alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems in the 2021 International Fire Code, Section 904 and WAC 51-54A-0904. Editorial corrections are also made to match [or] clarify code language. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 51-54A-0904. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.074 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immed

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: This emergency filing is needed to reinstate an amendment erroneously removed from the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) during the 2021 initial rule making (2021 code adoption cycle). Permanent expedited rule making is underway with WSR 25-22-057. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 51-54A-0308. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediat

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule opens hatchery steelhead retention in Salmon Creek (Clark County). Citation of rules affected by this order: Amending WAC 220-312-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that obser

Effective Date of Rule: March 11, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to provide for treaty Indian fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting salmon listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes and federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-359-02000G

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Home care aide certification — Extended timeline. The department of health (department) is continuing without change the emergency rules previously filed under WSR 25-23-027 on November 10, 2025, that permit the extended timelines to those working in community-based settings and who are in an approved training program to become a nursing assistant-certified to complete certification requirements. The emergency rule clarifies that the prov

Effective Date of Rule: March 17, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open razor clam harvest in Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000V; and amending WAC 220-330-160. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safet

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: In the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed SSB 5393, closing the Rainier school by June 30, 2027. This legislation directs that the department of social and health services (DSHS) 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 definition

Effective Date of Rule: March 9, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open red sea urchin harvest in Districts 1, 2, and 4, and green sea urchin in District 6 and catch reporting Areas 26B and 26C in District 7. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-750. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2026. Purpose: Reduces the adult daily salmon limit in the Wind River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of n

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: To update the student conduct code in accordance with the 2020 final rule Title IX regulations and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. We are vacating the 2024 Title IX final rule regulations, removing sexual harassment procedures from the code, and implementing a new section outlined for supplemental procedures for non-Title IX sexual misconduct. This revision also updates outdated language and makes adjustments to other prohibited condu

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Continuing emergency/interim filing from previous [emergency], WSR 25-23-005. Interim, emergency adoption of changes to student conduct code, also known as policy 2050 for Bellevue College, due to federal administration updates. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 132H-126-010, 132H-126-030, 132H-126-040, 132H-126-100, 132H-126-110, 132H-126-115, 132H-126-120, 132H-126-130, 132H-126-160, 132H-126-200, 132H-126-210, 132H

Effective Date of Rule: March 2, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close all commercial sea urchin harvest in Puget Sound. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-75000X. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, a

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The early learning division is amending WAC language to implement ESSB 5752, section 15, related to revising requirements for newly eligible services. Currently, families can begin child care anytime during the 12-month eligibility period and will receive a full 12-month authorization for care from the date the care begins. However, under ESSB 5752, families will still receive a 12-month eligibility period, but the authorization for care

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Modifications to language in WAC 110-15-0005 Eligibility and 110-15-0075 Determining income eligibility and copayment amounts, are necessary to implement child care subsidy program changes related to ESSB 5752 related to repealing expanded eligibility for registered apprenticeships and child care employees, and removing enrollment in a state registered apprenticeship as being excluded from the work requirements as a condition of receiving

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Modifications to WAC 110-15-0271 Payment discrepancies — Consumer, are necessary to align rules with child care development fund grant requirements to not pursue overpayments that may occur related to presumptive eligibility approvals, except in cases of fraud or intentional program violations, per ESSB 5167. This is the third emergency filing for this project. The first was filed as WSR 25-14-112. The second was filed as WSR 25-22-040. C

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Modifications to WAC language are necessary to align rules with the 2025 approved state budget increasing licensed family home provider rates to the 85th percentile of the current market, and increasing family, friends and neighbor provider rates to $4.50, per ESSB 5167. This is the second emergency filing; the first was filed as WSR 25-22-039. WAC 110-15-0205 Daily child care rates—Licensed or certified family home child care providers,

Effective Date of Rule: February 26, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to provide for treaty Indian fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while protecting salmon listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule making implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes and federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-359-020

Effective Date of Rule: February 26, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to set a limited Columbia River commercial fishery for eulachon smelt. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-358-06000J; and amending WAC 220-354-160 [220-358-160]. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the pres

Effective Date of Rule: February 26, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule opens white sturgeon retention in the Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam for two days and maintains previously announced Columbia River sturgeon retention closures. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-316-01000F; and amending WAC 220-316-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds tha

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The child welfare division and licensing division are making changes to the child protective services WAC in chapter 110-30 WAC and other related rules to align with the revised definition in RCW 26.44.020 for "abuse or neglect" to include "sex trafficking" and "severe forms of trafficking in persons" that took effect on July 1, 2025, per 2SSB 6006, and "female genital mutilation," per SB [SSB] 5453, which took effect on April 20, 2023. T

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Amending chapter 51-52 WAC, the adoption of the 2021 International Mechanical Code with Washington state amendments, to clarify requirements for A2L refrigerants. The changes coordinate the adopted code with the most recent ASHRAE 15, ASHRAE 15.2, ASHRAE 34, and UL 60335-2-40 standards. The majority of the changes are in chapter 11, with updates to the referenced standards in chapter 15 and coordinating changes to the definitions and the

Effective Date of Rule: February 26, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open razor clam harvest in Areas 1, 3, 4, and 5. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-16000U; and amending WAC 220-330-160. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, sa

Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule opens salmon and steelhead fisheries in Columbia and Deep rivers targeting spring Chinook. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030 and 220-312-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, saf

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: Amending chapter 51-52 WAC, the adoption of the 2021 International Mechanical Code with Washington state amendments, to clarify requirements for A2L refrigerants. The changes coordinate the adopted code with the most recent ASHRAE 15, ASHRAE 15.2, ASHRAE 34, and UL 60335-2-40 standards. The majority of the changes are in chapter 11, with updates to the referenced standards in chapter 15 and coordinating changes to the definitions and the

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: This emergency rule opens white sturgeon retention in the Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam for two days and maintains previously announced Columbia River sturgeon retention closures. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-316-01000E; and amending WAC 220-316-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause fin

Effective Date of Rule: February 21, 2026, 8:00 a.m. Purpose: Opens a recreational smelt fishery on the Cowlitz River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-315-03000J; and amending WAC 220-315-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfar

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to amend commercial crab fishing in Puget Sound: WAC 220-340-45500J closes Region 1 to commercial crab harvest effective one hour after official sunset on February 17, 2026. WAC 220-340-47000K updates pot limits assigned to open periods in WAC 220-340-45500J. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-45500I and 220-340-47000J; and amending WAC 220-340-455 and 220-340-470. Statuto

Effective Date of Rule: February 23, 2026. Purpose: The rule change will exempt funding of a political party's sample ballots from contribution limits when the sample ballot includes the party's position on a ballot proposition. The current rule provides that sample ballots meeting certain criteria are not considered contributions to the candidates listed on the card. One criterion is that the sample ballot may not include any ballot proposition on the sample ballot in order to qualify for the e

Effective Date of Rule: February 18, 2026, 8:00 a.m. Purpose: Opens a recreational smelt fishery on the Columbia River. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-315-03000I; and amending WAC 220-315-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.020 , 77.12.045 , and 77.12.047 . Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfa

Effective Date of Rule: February 15, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule will allow nontreaty commercial fishing opportunities in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule implements federal court orders governing Washington's relationship with treaty Indian tribes, federal law governing Washington's relationship with Oregon, and Washington fish and wildlife commission (commission) policy guidance for Columbia Riv

Effective Date of Rule: February 17, 2026. Purpose: This emergency rule extends the emergency rule filed under WSR 25-21-075 on October 14, 2025, which went into effect on October 20, 2025. This emergency rule uses the same text, striking one sentence each from WAC 468-305-100 and 468-305-300 to make the rule language accurate. The Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) has adopted a permanent rule with the same text as in this emergency rule and the WSR 25-21-075 emergency rule.