General Notices

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding an interpretive statement titled "Nonemergency Public Water System Interties," filed May 23, 2001, and published as WSR 01-11-161. This statement clarified requirements in WAC 246-290-132 in relation to RCW 90.03.383 (2)(a). The department is rescinding this policy due to adopted changes to WAC 246-290-132 for water system interties. Consequently, this interpretive statement is no longer necessary. Individuals re

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding a policy statement titled "Penalty Settlement," filed March 5, 1997, and published in WSR 97-06-109. This policy statement outlined steps for issuing a civil penalty. The department is rescinding this policy due to the adoption of enforcement sections in chapter 246-290 WAC concerning Group A public water systems and chapter 246-291 WAC concerning Group B public water systems. Consequently, this policy is no long

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding a policy statement titled "Exemption to Closure Related to Vibrio parahaemolyticus Illness" filed on August 22, 2011, and published as WSR 11-17-102. This policy statement clarified requirements for a licensed shellfish dealer or harvester requesting an exemption to a shellfish growing area closure related to Vibrio parahaemolyticus illnesses. The department is rescinding this policy because it is outdated and do

The legislature directed the utilities and transportation commission (commission), in section 1 of ESSB 5295, to conduct a proceeding to develop a policy statement addressing alternatives to traditional cost of service rate making, including performance-based measures or goals, targets, performance incentives, and penalty mechanisms. As directed by the legislature, on January 26, 2026, the commission issued a policy statement to provide clarification of the reported metrics for regulated energy

Office of Assistant Secretary Health Systems Quality Assurance Notice of Adoption - Policy Statement Title: Alternative Education for Medical Cannabis Consultant Training, HSQA MC 2025-01.1. Issuing Entity: Department of health (department). Subject Matter: Allowance of alternative education for WAC 246-72-100(2), the two-hour continuing education course that is offered by the department. The department is extending the allowance until May 1, 2026. Effective Date: January 2, 2026. Contact Person

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On January 21, 2026, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Jean Mendoza, relating to the Washington State Department of Ecology's denial of a petition to amend or repeal ch. 173-424 WAC ( Clean Fuels Program Rule ). DATE: January 23, 2026 Kristin Beneski Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding policy statement HSQA-24-01, Emergency Abortion Care in Hospitals Providing Emergency Services, which was filed June 17, 2024, and published in WSR 24-13-083. This statement clarified requirements and responsibilities for the provision of emergency obstetric care, including abortion care, for all hospitals providing emergency care in Washington state. The department is rescinding this policy statement because the

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is Noel Sharp, 621 Woodland Square Loop, Lacey, WA 98503, phone 360-485-1591, email noel.sharp@efsec.wa.gov . Noel Sharp Rules and Policy Coordinator

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Charter School Commission is Dominique Mayes, 1068 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-725-5511, email dominique.mayes@k12.wa.us . Dominique Mayes Business Manager

Notice of Quarterly Hearings The Washington state clemency and pardons board (board) hereby gives notice of its quarterly hearings scheduled for March 12 and 13, 2026, via virtual hearing, starting at 8:45 a.m. 1 The following petitions will be considered by the board: 1 All board hearings are recorded by a court reporter and broadcast on the state public affairs network, TVW. March 12, 2026 Petitioner: County of Conviction: Relief Requested: Estimated Start Time: ComesLast, Travis Spokane Commu

Notice of Interpretive and Policy Statements Under chapter 42.56 RCW, the department of ecology (ecology) maintains an index that includes interpretive and policy statements issued by ecology. Under RCW 34.05.230 , we are filing notice in the Washington State Register about these statements. To obtain copies of these items, please: • Copy and paste the web address (URL) from the table below into a web browser to view and download; or • Submit an email records request to ecology's public records

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding Abbreviated Coordinated Water System Plan Guidance, which was filed on August 22, 2001, and published in WSR 01-17-115. This interpretive statement provides information on minimum statutory requirements of elements of chapter 70.116 RCW relating to an abbreviated method of utilizing the Public Water Coordination Act. The department is rescinding this policy because it is outdated and does not reflect our current

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding a policy statement regarding Requirements for Sources in Hydraulic Connection to Surface Water which was filed on May 2, 2001, and published in WSR 01-10-134. This statement provided direction to staff and interested parties regarding how long disinfection may be deferred, and what requirements and recommendations would apply while awaiting source modifications or installation of treatment facilities. The departm

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding Alternative Water Supplies, a policy statement which was filed August 31, 2005, and published in WSR 05-18-038. This statement provided direction for the provision of alternative water supplies when an acute chemical is present over the maximum contaminant level; or when a chronic chemical contaminant is present at a concentration considered acute by the department. The department is rescinding this policy becaus

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding an interpretive statement titled "Unregulated purchasing water systems billing for water service. Section WAC 246-290-020 (2)(c)" filed March 15, 2000, and published in WSR 00-07-080. This statement clarified that a company providing drinking water billing services to an apartment complex or a multifamily complex is not considered a purveyor or a public water system. The department is rescinding this interpretive

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding an interpretive statement on Sanitary Survey Fees for Public Water Systems, which was filed March 15, 2000, and published as WSR 00-07-081. This interpretive statement clarified when the department would charge sanitary survey fees for public water systems with unfiltered surface water sources. The department is rescinding this statement due to the adopted rule changes to WAC 246-290-990 Water system evaluation a

2026 Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Base and Maximum Penalty Rates Safety and Health Violation Base Penalty Amounts WAC 296-900-14010 requires annual adjustments to DOSH gravity-based penalty amounts for inflation, based on the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) index. The base penalty can also be increased by an additional two percent when Washington state is not within 25 percent of the national penalty average for the preceding federal year calculated by t

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

Notice of Adoption - Policy Statement Title: 2026 FIFA World Cup Events in Washington, HSQA-25-02. Issuing Entity: Office of investigative and legal services. Subject Matter: The secretary of health will exercise enforcement discretion to allow health care providers with international licenses to provide care to players and staff participating in and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026 events in Washington state without holding a license from Washington state or another United States state or territo

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement Pursuant to RCW 34.05.230 , the department of labor and industries' insurance services division issued the following policy statement. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Jordan Ely at Jordan.Ely@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-4616. Policy: Insurance Services Policy 91.27. Title: Audit adjustment tolerance. Amended: January 1, 2026. Description: The amendments to this policy regarding field audit include the following: • Chan

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On January 6, the Governor's Office received an appeal from William Osmunson, relating to the Washington State Board of Health's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 246-290-220 ( Drinking water materials and additives ). 1 1 The Governor's Office directs petitioners to send notices of appeals of rulemaking decisions by email to GovmiAPARuleAppea

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the End of the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit In 2025, the department of ecology (ecology) took public comment on one part of our work to address excess nutrients in Puget Sound, the draft 2025 Puget Sound nutrient general permit. Based on the feedback we received in summer 2025, as well as legal rulings on permit appeals, we will not reissue the Puget Sound nutrient general permit and will instead address nitrogen discharges in the individual permits for the 58 was

2025 QUARTERLY REPORT ON RULE-MAKING ACTIVITIES Petitions Received The following information is in order to implement RCW 1.08.112 (1)(g) and WAC 1-21-180. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) received zero petitions for rule making during the fourth quarter of 2025. Date Requestor Subject 1st Quarter (January through March) None 2nd Quarter (April through June) 6/24/2025 Ben Peterson, King County Noxious Weed Program Add Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily) to the WSDA noxiou

The Washington state department of commerce (commerce) received a notice of intent on June 24, 2025, from the City of Liberty Lake, consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements within RCW 36.70A.096 (2) for commerce approval of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction subelement. The City of Liberty Lake may apply for approval of its GHG emissions reduction subelement no sooner than 120 days from the receipt of the notice of intent per RCW 36.70A.096 (2). Further questions

Pursuant to RCW 40.14.040 , Kenyah Thomas is designated as Washington State University's (university) records officer, effective January 5, 2026. As such, Kenyah Thomas will supervise the university's records program and represent the university in contacts with the state records committee and the division of archives and records management. Elizabeth R. Cantwell President

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , Kenyah Thomas is designated as Washington State University's (university) rules coordinator effective January 5, 2026. Kenyah Thomas is the university's contact for responding to public inquiries about university rules and the rule-making process and is responsible for maintaining records regarding university rules. Elizabeth R. Cantwell President

Interpretive Statement Issued The department of revenue (department) has issued the following excise tax advisory (ETA): ETA 3168.2026 Meal Assembly Kitchens and Meal Delivery Businesses . This ETA addresses Washington's business and occupation tax and retail sales tax obligations for the preparation and delivery of entrées, meals, and other food products prepared by meal assembly kitchens or meal delivery businesses. The department has made updates to this ETA to address the taxation of meal de

Interpretive Statement Issued The department of revenue (department) has issued the following excise tax advisory (ETA): ETA 3240.2026 Working Families Tax Credit—Annual Updates . RCW 82.08.0206 requires the department to annually adjust the working families tax credit (WFTC) refund amounts for inflation and the percentage rate of WFTC refund reductions for those above the reduced federal income threshold. This ETA provides these annual updates for the WFTC refund program. A copy of this documen

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On November 5, 2025, the Governor's Office received an appeal from David Sanders, relating to the Liquor and Cannabis Board's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 314-55-018 (Prohibited practices — Money advances — Contracts — Gifts — Rebates, discounts, and exceptions, etc.) . The Governor denied the appeal on December 22, 2025. date: December 2

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0028 Professional Services Supplemental Payments. Proposed Effective Date: July 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) filed its intent to submit SPA 25-0028 under WSR 25-21-078, to add medicare as a payment benchmark in addition to the average commercial rate benchmark currently listed for the professional services supplemental payment program, which provides supplemental payments for specific, voluntarily participat

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26-0004 Correction to Outpatient Hospital Supplemental Payments. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 26-0004 to correct an error in Attachment 4.19-B page 16-1. A paragraph specifying dollar amounts for supplemental payments was removed via SPA 23-0046, approved on February 13, 2024, and effective January 1, 2024. This paragraph was inadvertently left in subsequent SPAs th

CORRECTION: Washington's Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program: Tank Fee Increase in 2026 Washington's underground storage tank fees will increase on July 1, 2026, from $243.21 to 273.43 $258.80 per tank. The UST fee increase previously announced by the department of ecology (ecology) was inaccurately calculated. This announcement corrects the error that was posted in WSR 25-05-045. As required by law, the fiscal growth factor was used to determine the amount of fee increase. The fiscal growth

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: DCS Policy Clarification Memo (PCM) 25-003: 2026 Washington Minimum Wage Increase. Subject: DCS PCM 25-003. Effective Date: December 22, 2025. Document Description: This PCM explains the change to the Washington state minim

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: DCS Policy Clarification Memo (PCM) 25-002: Changes to the Self-Support Reserve, Economic Table, and Child Support Worksheets. Subject: DCS PCM 25-002. Effective Date: December 8, 2025. Document Description: This new DCS PC

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26-0003 Rural Emergency Hospitals. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 26-0003 to add information regarding rural emergency hospitals (REH). REHs, as defined in 42 C.F.R. 485.502, do not provide inpatient care; they provide emergency department services, observation care, and other outpatient medical and health services and the per patient average length of stay does not e

Notice of Interpretive and Policy Statements Under chapter 42.56 RCW, the department of ecology (ecology) maintains an index that includes interpretive and policy statements issued by the agency. Under RCW 34.05.230 , we are filing notice in the Washington State Register about these statements. To obtain copies of these items, please: • Copy and paste the web address (URL) from the table below into a web browser to view and download; or • Submit an email records request to ecology's public recor

NOTICE Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment 25-0033 Flooding Disaster Relief. Effective Date: December 23, 2025 (please note Washington intends to submit an 1135 waiver; if approved, the effective date will be December 10, 2025). Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit SPA 25-0033 to implement policies and procedures that may be different from the policies and procedures otherwise applied under the medicaid state pla

NOTICE Subject: Medicaid Waiver Applications under Section 1915(c) for the Department of Social and Health Services and the Application of an Appendix K Waiver Authority. Effective Date: December 23, 2025 (sooner if allowed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)). Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit a 1915(c) Appendix K waiver to implement policies and procedures that may be different from the poli

EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 25-01 TO: ALL INSURERS AUTHORIZED OR ADMITTED TO TRANSACT PROPERTY AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON STATE AND ALL ENTITIES REGULATED BY THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER FROM: PATTY KUDERER, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RE: PROVIDING RELIEF TO WASHINGTON CONSUMERS FROM 2025 ATMOSPHERIC RIVER AND WINTER WEATHER EVENT BY ADDRESSING GRACE PERIODS FOR NONPAYMENT OF PREMIUM AND TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING CANCELLATION AND NONRENEWAL OF PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE POLICIES PURSUANT

EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 25-01 TO: ALL INSURERS AUTHORIZED OR ADMITTED TO TRANSACT PROPERTY AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON STATE AND ALL ENTITIES REGULATED BY THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER FROM: PATTY KUDERER, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RE: PROVIDING RELIEF TO WASHINGTON CONSUMERS FROM 2025 ATMOSPHERIC RIVER AND WINTER WEATHER EVENT BY ADDRESSING GRACE PERIODS FOR NONPAYMENT OF PREMIUM AND TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING CANCELLATION AND NONRENEWAL OF PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE POLICIES PURSUANT

The department of social and health services, division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR) is preparing its state plan progress update for 2024-2027, the planning document that describes DVR's goals, priorities, partnerships, and activities to help individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals. DVR and the Washington state rehabilitation council invite you to comment on the new plan and participate in a public forum on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The forum will be held virtually.

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the department of services for the blind is Kellie Rieland, P.O. Box 40933, Olympia, WA 98504-0933, phone 360-485-1109, fax 360-407-0679, email kellie.rieland@dsb.wa.gov. Yvonne Verbraak Executive Assistant