General Notices

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.230 , the department of labor and industries' division of labor standards issued the following policy statements. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Bridget Osborne at Bridget.Osborne@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-5552. Policy: Employment Standards Policy ES.E.2. Title: Job Posting Requirements. Issued: December 3, 2025. Effective: December 3, 2025. Description: This new policy provides guidance on job posting requirements in Washington's Equal Pay an

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

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , effective November 1, 2025, the rules coordinator for the department of enterprise services will be Ashley Olson, policy and rules manager. Please reach out to Ashley Olson directly at email ashley.olson@des.wa.gov or phone 564-250-2375. Matt Jones Director

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26-0002 January 2026 Fee Schedule Updates. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 26-0002 to update the fee schedule effective dates for several medicaid programs and services. This is a regular, budget-neutral update to keep rates and billing codes in alignment with the coding and coverage changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state, and other sour

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 October 13, 2025, 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 ). The Governor denied the appeal on November 26, 2025 date : November 26, 2025 Kristin Beneski Chief Legal Counsel to the

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding the policy statement for temporary practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians licensed out-of-state to assist with impacts of Rite Aid and Bartell Drug closures in Washington state, HSQA-25-01.2, which was filed September 2, 2025, and published in WSR 25-18-090. This statement allowed the secretary of health to exercise enforcement discretion to permit pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to practice in Was

Title: Legislative Implementation 2SHB 1515, Fees and Application Information (PS25-01). Effective Date: August 27, 2025. Contact Information: Kalynn Gubbe, liquor and cannabis board (LCB), phone 360-664-1728, email ExpandedAlcoholServices@lcb.wa.gov . Brief Summary: This policy statement provides guidance to entities applying for an expanded alcohol service authorization pursuant to 2SHB 1515, chapter 361, Laws of 2025, during the interim between the law's effective date on July 27, 2025, and t

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 Administrative Policy 1.24. Subject: How DCS pays claims for DCS liability. Effective Date: November 13, 2025. Document Description: This policy assures that if DCS is found financially liable to an individual, the clai

NOTICE Title or Subject: Update for Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0026 October 2025 Fee Schedule Updates. Proposed Effective Date: October 3, 2025, now not applicable. Description: The health care authority (HCA) previously filed notice of the intent to submit SPA 25-0026 to update the fee schedule effective dates for several medicaid programs and services under WSR 25-21-007. At this time, HCA does not anticipate submitting SPA 25-0026. Contact: Ann Myers, State Plan Coordinator, P.O.

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 AP 1.26: Teleworking From Home. Subject: DCS administrative policy (AP) 1.26. Effective Date: November 12, 2025. Document Description: This revised DCS AP explains procedures for DCS employees to telework from home. To

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 AP 6.00: Public Information. Subject: DCS administrative policy (AP) 6.00. Effective Date: November 12, 2025. Document Description: This revised DCS AP outlines the authority for official communication between DCS and t

Public Notice: Announcing the Draft Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit for Review and Comment The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the bridge and ferry terminal washing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit . The current permit was last issued in June 2022 and is scheduled to expire July 31, 2027. The draft general permit, fact sheet explaining the legal and technical basis for the draft permit,

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Office of Financial Management is Nathan Sherrard, P.O. Box 43113, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-972-6551, email nathan.sherrard@ofm.wa.gov . Nathan Sherrard Legal Affairs Counsel

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for Lower Columbia College is Tracy L. Powell, 1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632, phone 360-442-2100, fax 360-442-2109, email tpowell@lowercolumbia.edu . C. Matt Seimears, Ph.D. President

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.) . date: November 6, 2025 Kristin Beneski Chief Legal Counsel to the Gov

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 October 13, 2025, 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 ). date : November 4, 2025 Kristin Beneski Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor

Public Notice: Reissuance of the Construction Stormwater General Permit The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the Construction Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit on November 19, 2025. The permit becomes effective on January 1, 2026, and expires on December 31, 2030. Purpose of the Permit: Ecology's construction stormwater general permit regulates stormwater, and conditionally approved nonstormwater, runo

Policy Statement Addressing Carrying Costs Associated with Accounting Deferrals During its regularly scheduled open meeting held on April 10, 2025, 1 in addressing a utility request for deferred accounting treatment and associated carrying costs related to participatory funding, 2 the Washington utilities and transportation commission (commission) expressed broader concerns about the lack of consistent carrying cost rates authorized in accounting deferrals and the potential for treating similarl

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the department of financial institutions is Sarah Fourr, P.O. Box 41200, Olympia, WA 98504-1200, phone 360-902-8742, fax 360-704-6467, email dfipublicrecords@dfi.wa.gov . Charles E. Clark Director

Notice of Interpretive and Policy Statement 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 record

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0024 State Facility Rates. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit SPA 25-0024 to amend the "Methods and Standards for Establishing Payments for Psychiatric Inpatient Services Provided in Hospitals Operated by the State of Washington - JCAHO-Accredited Psychiatric Services for Children and Adolescents Age 17 and Under" sect

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0018 Medication Assisted Treatment Updates. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: In 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) required states to provide medication-assisted treatment, covering medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD increased treatment options for substance use disorders (SUDs), including counseling services and behavioral therapies associated with the provision of required drug an

Notice of Quarterly Hearings The Washington state clemency and pardons board hereby gives notice of its quarterly hearings scheduled for December 11 and 12, 2025, via virtual hearing, starting at 9:00 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. December 11, 2025 Petitioner County of Conviction Relief Requested Estimated Start Time Nguyn, Hung Van King Pardon 9:00 a.m.

Subject: Washington state's traditional health care practices waiver - notice of section 1115 waiver application and public comment period. Effective date: If approved, the traditional health care practices waiver could begin as soon as July 1, 2026. The health care authority (HCA), in partnership with tribes in Washington state, will submit a five-year traditional health care practices waiver application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This waiver is a section 1115 waiv

The Washington state department of commerce (commerce) received a notice of intent on August 1, 2025, from City of Prosser, consistent with the Growth Management Act requirements within RCW 36.70A.096 (2) for commerce approval of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction subelement. Clark County 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 and/or comments can be dir

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 records officer at PublicRecordsOfficer@ecy.wa.gov

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0028 Professional Services Supplemental Payments. Effective Date: July 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0028 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 participating provider groups. SPA 25-0028 is exp

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0029 Invoicing Drug Rebates for Certain Drugs. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0029 to add invoicing for manufacturer drug rebates for certain covered outpatient drugs delivered in an inpatient setting when they meet the definition of "covered outpatient drug" in 42 C.F.R. 447.502. SPA 25-0029 is expected to have no effect on annual aggregate payments to provider

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0032 Certified Public Expenditure (CPE) Protocol Update. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0032 to update the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cost report number and remove the ratio of cost to revenue calculation, as this calculation is not used in any hospital program. SPA 25-0032 is expected to have no effect on the annual aggregate expenditures/paymen

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0030 Hospital Outlier Threshold Update. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0029 [25-0030] to increase the outlier threshold from $40,000 to $45,000 for inpatient hospital services. SPA 25-0030 is expected to decrease the annual aggregate expenditures/payments by $2.3 million annually. The proposed rates, methodologies, and justifications are as follows: Proposed Rat

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0031 Transplant Payments. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0031 to clarify that all transplant services which group to the Solventum© APR-DRG© transplant group are exempt from the diagnosis-related group payment method and are instead paid by the ratio of costs-to-charges payment method. SPA 25-0031 is expected to have no effect on the annual aggregate expenditure

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0027 Outpatient Pharmacy Payment Methodology Update. Effective Date: January 1, 2026. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0027 to update the payment methodology for certain pharmaceuticals provided in outpatient hospital settings. SPA 25-0027 will clarify that certain pharmaceuticals will be paid using the pharmacy fee schedule. SPA 25-0026 [25-0027] is expected to have no effect on the annual aggre

2025 QUARTERLY REPORT ON RULE-MAKING ACTIVITIES Petitions Received The following information is being sent in order to implement RCW 1.08.112 (1)(g) and WAC 1-21-180. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) received one petition for rule making during the second [third] 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) t

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.280 (2), the designated public records officer for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is Tiffany Scoggin, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-407-5520, fax 360-407-5571, email dcyf.publicdisclosure@dcyf.wa.gov . Jennifer D. Williams, JD Director of Administrative Services

This memo serves as notice that the examining board of psychology (board) is rescinding interpretive statement WSR 12-08-020, Allowable coursework taken outside of the doctoral degree program, which was filed March 26, 2012, and published in WSR 12-08-020. This interpretive statement clarified how the board counted courses toward psychologist licensure requirements for any courses completed outside an applicant's doctoral degree program. The board is rescinding this statement because the board r

Notice of Quarterly Hearings The Washington state clemency and pardons board (board) hereby gives notice of its quarterly hearings scheduled for December 11 and 12, 2025, via virtual hearing, starting at 9:00 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. December 11, 2025 Petitioner: County of Conviction: Relief Requested: Estimated Start Time: Nguyn, Hung Van King Pard

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board is Joy Dopita, P.O. Box 40965, Olympia, WA 98504-0965, phone 360-586-9695, email Joy.Dopita@fmsib.wa.gov . Joy Dopita Executive Assistant

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board is Joy Dopita, P.O. Box 40965, Olympia, WA 98504-0965, phone 360-586-9695, email Joy.Dopita@fmsib.wa.gov . Joy Dopita Executive Assistant

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 25-0026 October 2025 Fee Schedule Updates. Effective Date: October 3, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 25-0026 to update the fee schedule effective dates for several medicaid programs and services. This is a regular, budget-neutral update to keep rates and billing codes in alignment with the coding and coverage changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state, and other sour

Notice of Special Set Hearings The Washington state clemency and pardons board (board) hereby gives notice of its special set hearings scheduled for November 6, 2025, via virtual hearing, starting at 9:00 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. November 6, 2025 Petitioner: County of Conviction: Relief Requested: Estimated Start Time: Hartung, Karissa Clark County

Transportation Network Companies Adjustments for 2026 RCW 49.46.300 (4)(b) requires annual adjustments to Washington state's transportation network companies wage, based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) index. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined that the CPI-W index increased to an August 2025 index level of 317.306 (1982-84=100). This change results in a 2.81 percent change over the last 12 months. There are seven calculations spe

Noncompetition Enforceability Thresholds for 2026 As per RCW 49.62.040 , the department of labor and industries is required to adjust noncompete enforceability thresholds annually to account for inflation using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers index. These thresholds determine whether a noncompetition clause or agreement is enforceable. There are two thresholds, one for employees (RCW 49.62.020 ) and one for independent contractors (RCW 49.62.030 ). The table

Calculations for the Executive, Administrative, and Professional (EAP) Exemption Salary Threshold Calculations for 2026 The department of labor and industries has rules for overtime exemptions for EAP workers, including outside sales and computer professionals. To be exempt from overtime, EAP workers must be salaried, paid a minimum specified salary level, and must primarily perform executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, or computer professional duties as defined under chapter 2

Minimum Wage Calculations for 2026 As per RCW 49.46.020 , the department of labor and industries (L&I) must calculate Washington state's minimum wage based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers index. L&I has calculated the adjusted minimum wage rate for 2026 to $17.13 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. This is a $.47 per hour increase from 2025. If you have any questions, contact Caitlin Gates, rules coordinator, at 360-902-6744. Caitlin Gates Rules Coordinat

This memo serves as notice that the examining board of psychology (board) is rescinding EBOP-22-02, Supplemental Information Requirement for Applicants for Psychology License from Hybrid or Online Graduate Programs, which was filed March 15, 2022, and published in WSR 22-07-051. This policy statement clarified the board's requirements for educational meetings completed in lieu of residency and established requirements for supporting information during the application process. The board is rescin

This memo serves as notice that the examining board of psychology (board) is rescinding EBOP-22-01, Requirements for Educational Meetings Completed in lieu of Doctoral Residency — Applicants for psychology license, which was filed March 15, 2022, and published in WSR 22-07-050. This interpretive statement clarified the board's requirements for educational meetings completed in lieu of residency and the types of activities that would count toward the 750-hour requirement. The board is rescinding

This memo serves as notice that the examining board of psychology (board) is rescinding EBOP-21-01, Application of Supervised Experience Hours for Applicants of a Psychologist License When Only Partial Credit Applies, which was filed December 12, 2021, and published in WSR 22-01-091. This policy statement established the board's policy of granting partial credit for supervised experience hours that do not meet all requirements in chapter 246-924 WAC. The board is rescinding this policy because t