Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: In preparation for the 2026 Washington state marine pilot exam, the board of pilotage commissioners is updating WAC concerning the appeal and protest process for both the written exam and simulator evaluation to reflect updated practices developed during the 2024 exam process. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 363-116-083 Written examination protest and appeal procedures, and 363-116-084 Simulator evaluation prot

Effective Date of Rule: February 24, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The updated forest land values in WAC 458-40-540 are required by RCW 84.33.140 to be updated on or before December 31st for use the following year. RCW 84.33.091 requires the stumpage values in WAC 458-40-660 to be updated on or before December 31st for use the following January 1st through June 30th. RCW 84.33.096 requires the department of revenue

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue (department) amends WAC 458-20-238 to incorporate changes resulting from ESSB 5281 (2025). ESSB 5281 modified the costs of permits for nonresident vessels and added a new fee for vessels between 201-300 feet in length. The fee and associated vessel length are included in the department's vessel brokers and dealers guide. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-238 Sales of watercraft to

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-303 WAC, Seed assessment, fees for seed services and seed certification by: • Increasing the following fees under WAC 16-303-340: o Field inspection fee per acre except millet and hybrid sorghum from $3.15 to $5.30; and o Minimum reinspection fee for each field that did not pass field inspection, plus $0.46 for each acre over 25 from $0.46 to $0.75. • Reorganizing the ordering of fees under su

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending various requirements and redundant language such as requiring registered tow truck operators (RTTOs) to report many identifying details of an abandoned vehicle; clarifying that requests for reimbursement can be submitted online; allowing RTTOs to complete their processes by including other authorized disposal sites for abandoned vehicles; and clarifying that rejected cases for reimbursement will have one opportunity to appea

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Under the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act, chapter 49.45 RCW, certain employers are required to provide notice to impacted employees and the employment security department (department) before the employer initiates a mass layoff or business closing, with certain exceptions. The notices must include the names and addresses of impacted employees. The purpose of this new rule is to explain that emplo

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Adds language indicating Eastern Washington University (university) may terminate, cancel, relocate, or prohibit the use of facilities or campus property if reasonably necessary to prevent substantial harm or threat of substantial harm to the safety of persons, substantial damage to property, or substantial disruption of university functions or operations. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: WAC 172-141-050. Statutory Authority

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates contact information for filing public records requests and the title of the employee who reviews appeals. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 172-10-020, 172-10-030, and 172-10-090. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.35.120 (12). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-01-214 on December 24, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal R

Effective Date of Rule: August 18, 2026. Purpose: This rule-making order establishes chapter 16-476 WAC, Firewood exterior quarantine. This chapter establishes an exterior quarantine regulating the transportation of firewood into Washington state. The purpose of this rule is to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plant pests, plant diseases, and bee pests that can be transported on or inside untreated firewood. These pests including, but not limited to, emerald ash borer, spongy moth

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-470 WAC, Quarantine — Agricultural pests, by expanding the apple maggot quarantine area in Okanogan County. Recent apple maggot surveys provide evidence that the state's apple maggot population has expanded its range into pest-free areas of the county. Changes to the existing rule may better protect the environment and agricultural crops of the state by slowing possible movements of apple magg

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) 476-020 Applicability, the proposed rule change makes grammatical corrections. SWCAA 476-025 Adoption of Federal Rules, the proposed rule change creates a new rule section that provides an adoption by reference date for federal regulations cited in other sections of SWCAA 476. SWCAA 476-030 Definitions, the proposed rule changes make grammatical corrections, modify the definitions of emergency asbes

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Washington State University (WSU) is updating the rules regarding campus parking and traffic regulations for WSU Tri-Cities, chapter 504-13 WAC. WSU administration's updates to this rule are as follows: (1) Updates language and permit information for individuals with disabilities, (2) removes outdated parking permit and payment options, (3) removes wheel lock eligibility list and use, (4) simplifies authority of the campus and times

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Radiologic imaging professionals; correction of X-ray technician (limited scope) fees transposition error. The department of health (department) is adopting an amendment to WAC 246-926-990 fixing a minor typographical error in rule for the X-ray technician application fee, mistakenly changed to $150, back to the accurate cost of $105. The department establishes application fees to cover the cost of the health profession licensing and

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amends the penalties assessed to jockeys who are found to be at fault for failing to maintain a straight course or for careless riding. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 260-84-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 67.16.020 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-21-101 on October 17, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Stan

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Continuing education and training requirements for dentists administering sedation. The dental quality assurance commission is adopting amendments to WAC 246-817-773 to ensure clear continuing education and training requirements for dentists administering sedation. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-817-773. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.32.0365 and 18.32.640 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-2

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: RCW 19.260.080 (1)(b) maintains that the department of commerce (commerce) may adopt by rule a more recent version of the interface standard and application layer requirements for electric storage water heaters. Commerce is proposing to update state standards for electric storage water heaters to reflect more recent versions of the ANSI/CTA-2045-A standards listed in WAC 194-24-180 in order to maintain and improve consistency with th

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The rule change provides that slate cards published by political parties and other political committees may include positions on ballot propositions that would still qualify for the exemption from contribution limits under RCW 29B.40.020 (15). The current rules expressly disqualify slate cards from the contribution limit exemption if the slate care [card] includes a position on a ballot proposition. The adoption of this rule change i

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Update WAC with the new name for the since time immemorial curriculum. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 181-78A-220 and 181-78A-232. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-24-036 on November 25, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Re

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The adopted rules implement sections of SHB 1218, chapter 159, Laws [of 2021], which requires facilities to create and regularly maintain a resident roster, complete contact information, and respond to requests from the long-term care ombuds within specified time frames; and requires facilities to post stop placement orders in a conspicuous place. Replaces "his or her" with gender-neutral terms, and defines "resident representative"

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making is necessary to remove outdated language in WAC 468-305-100 and 468-305-300 about toll payment methods that were previously unavailable on State Route 167. The effect will be accurate rule language related to photo toll payment methods. To immediately address this outdated language, the Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) filed an emergency rule with the same WAC text on October 14, 2025, under WSR

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule project is to amend WAC 220-220-080 to clarify the correct pricing for combination deer licenses. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-220-080, closed areas, reduced rate combination deer hunting licenses. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.055 , and 77.12.047 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-24-104 on December 3, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Co

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) removed CDT® code D9630 from coverage under the dental benefit as these drugs and medicaments are available under the client's pharmacy benefit when prescribed and the prescription is filled at a pharmacy. As a result, the agency revised WAC 182-535-1098 to reflect this change and to also clarify that these services are still available under the client's pharmacy benefit. Additionally, the agency up

Effective Date of Rule: June 30, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The department of health (department) is extending out the effective date to help facilitate the implementation of this rule. Purpose: Licensing and certification standards for 23-hour crisis relief centers (CRC) serving minors in Washington state. In 2023, the legislature passed 2SSB 5120 (chapter 433, Laws of 2023), establishing 23-hour CRCs, a new typ

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-444-0030 Are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) subject to additional work requirements and time limits to be eligible for basic food?, and 388-444-0035 Who is exempt from ABAWD time limits and minimum work requirements? These amendments are necessary to implement changes to ABAWD time limit exceptions as passed in H.R.1, P.L. 119-21. When effec

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: ESSB 5291 (chapter 380, Laws of 2025) was signed into law on May 20, 2025. The bill created a new chapter under Title 48 RCW concerning supplemental long-term care insurance. Supplemental long-term care insurance is a new product designed to provide coverage once WA Cares benefits, under chapter 50B.04 RCW, have been exhausted. The office of the insurance commissioner (OIC) added a new chapter to Title 284 WAC to implement the new la

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state legislature enacted SSB 5933 in 2022, which requires the office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) to implement the school seismic safety program to allow districts to receive seismic funds and be eligible to receive funding from the school construction assistance program. In alignment with SSB 5933 (2022), OSPI is adopting rule making concerning the school seismic safety program. OSPI's current schoo

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of licensing is updating language to be more inclusive and fixing grammar issues in response to a rule-making petition. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-30-250 Change of name or address, 308-33-090 Definition of a branch office, 308-127-210 Relationship of timeshare promoters and salespersons and real estate brokers and salespersons, 308-127-225 Original application, renewal, inactivity, and f

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The proposed rules align WAC with recent statutory changes to the Clean Energy Transformation Act, chapter 19.405 RCW. The proposed rule removes greenhouse gas content reporting requirements consistent with the repeal of the reporting requirements under HB 1955 (2024). The proposed rule language removes provisions intended to provide regulatory clarity for utility implementation requirements of the no coal-fired standard. These clari

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The proposed rules provide for accountable communities of health to establish community care hubs provided through the Washington state health-related social needs (HRSN) services program. Under the Washington state section 1115 medicaid demonstration waiver, the HRSN services program allows qualifying medicaid enrollees to receive evidence-based, nonmedical services to address unmet adverse social conditions that contribute to poor

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to clarify new worker protections to align with SSB 5104, concerning instances of immigration-related coercion in the workplace. Rule making is required to implement SSB 5104 to further define terms and requirements. SSB 5104 includes the following labor standards requirements for employers: • Employers are prohibited from coercing employees based on immigration status. This includes implicit or exp

Effective Date of Rule: June 1, 2026. Purpose: In-home services agencies — Fee updates. The department of health is adopting rule amendments that update and restructure fees for in-home services agencies in WAC 246-335-990. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-335-990. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.110 , 43.70.250 , and 70.127.090 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-24-044 on November 26, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Stat

Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2026. Purpose: Birthing center fees; the department of health (department) is adopting rule amendments to update the existing fees and adding a fee and fee structure to include accreditation status for birthing centers in WAC 246-329-990. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-329-990. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.46.030 , 43.70.110 , and 43.70.250 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-24-078 on December 1, 2025. Number of Sections

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended these rules to comply with RCW 74.09.837 and 2E2SSB 5580, section 2, updating the maternity support services program to address perinatal outcomes and increase equity and healthier birth outcomes. Additionally, the agency added tribal health clinics to the list of maternity support services (MSS) providers; amended language to align with gender neutrality; updated MSS screening requirements;

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Sam's Law requires Clark College to amend its student conduct code to prohibit hazing both on and off campus, and revise the definition of "hazing." To this end, Clark College must amend its student conduct code, WAC 132N-126-010, 132N-126-015, and 132N-126-025; and adopt WAC 132N-126-036 in order to meet its obligations under "Sam's Law," 2SHB 1751 (2022), regarding hazing prevention. Sam's Law amends RCW 28B.10.900 and adds RCW 28B

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this expedited rule project is to amend WAC 220-305-085 so that it more precisely and clearly references the applicable sections of 33 C.F.R. Section 165.1301. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-305-085. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.055 , and 77.12.047 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-23-090 on November 18, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Disciplinary action reporting time frame. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-945-231 to clarify the time frame for pharmaceutical firms to report disciplinary action to the commission. The amendments incorporate the reporting time frame of 30 calendar days that is already required by WAC 246-16-220, to clarify the pharmacy rule without changing its effect. Citation of Rules Affect

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Resident protection program WAC are no longer in use. The responsibility for investigation of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation allegations against a nursing home resident by an individual transitioned from residential care services to adult protective services. As a result, the WAC listed below are being repealed. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-97-0660, 388-97-0680, 388-97-0700, 388-97-0720, 388-97-072

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-444-0015 How can the basic food employment and training (BFET) program help me find work? and 388-444-0025 What support services may the basic food employment and training (BFET) program pay to help me participate? These amendments will update and clarify employment and training services, support services, and participation requirements for the basic food

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates to WAC 132H-450-010 proposed name change update to Bellevue College District VIII from "Bellevue Community College," the institution's previous name. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 132H-450-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 and chapter 34.05 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-23-117 on November 19, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending these rules to incorporate 2024 legislation, SHB 1818, and 2025 legislation, ESSB 5445 and SHB 1261. The 2024 legislation provides an exception to compensating tax and additional tax when land designated as forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW, or land classified as timber land under chapter 84.34 RCW, is removed from designation or classification resulting from certain sales or transfers to a gov

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to lower the pension discount rate (PDR) to better align with the rate of return for long-term treasuries for self-insured pensions. PDR is the interest rate used to account for the time value of money when evaluating the present value of future pension payments. This rule lowers PDR for self-insured employers from 5.4 percent to 5.3 percent, effective April 1, 2026. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amend

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending these rules to incorporate 2025 legislation, SSB 5516 and EHB 1106. SSB 5516 provides a property tax exemption for property owned by a university and then purchased or acquired by a nonprofit organization for certain services for community members. EHB 1106 expands the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities exemption by lowering the disability rating for disabl

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is updating WAC 458-20-18801 due to changes from recent legislation, SSB 5431 (2025). The changes include updates to RCW 82.08.050 to amend the requirement to state and collect sales tax separately for qualifying sales from medical supply vendors. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-18801 Medical substances, devices, and supplies for humans—Drugs prescribed for human use—Medically p

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: All rule changes included in this rule-making order are required by current state statutes. RCW 34.05.380 (3)(a) allows for these rules to become effective immediately upon filing. Purpose: This rule-making order updates various liquor and cannabis board rules to align with existing statutes per the following legislation passed in 2025: HB 1636

Effective Date of Rule: [January 17, 2026]. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: This change went into effect under the SECURE Act 2.0 on January 1, 2026. Because the change is already in effect at the federal level, the department of retirement systems (DRS) is putting this rule into effect one business day after filing the CR-103P. Purpose: Beginning in January 2026, section 603 of the SECURE Act 2.0 requires participants who

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to update the employment security department's (department) rules to reflect changes made in SHB 1570 (2023) regarding relief of benefit charging for employers offering part-time work. SHB 1570 allows employers to be eligible for relief of benefit charges if they are continuing to provide part-time work in "substantially the same amount" to a claimant who has lost other work. The statute previously

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The licensing division is creating a new rules chapter to meet the requirements of ESSB 5515. The department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) does not currently license residential private schools (RPSs). This new legislation requires DCYF to create new rules for licensing the residential component of RPSs and begin licensing these schools statewide. These rules include application requirements, as well as licensing and monito