Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Recent year returns of steelhead to most river systems along coastal Washington have been below or well below the forecasted expectations. In response, state and tribal comanagers have made significant fishery reductions to conserve and perpetuate native steelhead populations in these river systems. Minimizing fishery impacts during important time periods in the species' life history when pre- and post-spawning activities are the hig

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state liquor and cannabis board (board) has created six new rules as follows to implement 2SHB 1515, chapter 361, Laws of 2025: WAC 314-03-210 Expanded outdoor alcohol service authorization, 314-03-211 Civic campus authorization, 314-03-212 Fan zone authorization, 314-03-213 Joint operating plan, 314-03-214 Public engagement review, and 314-03-215 Licensee sharing alcohol service area with nonlicensee. The board has al

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-412-0015 General information about your food assistance allotments, 388-450-0185 What income deductions does the department allow when determining if I am eligible for food benefits and the amount of my monthly benefits?, 388-450-0190 How does the department figure my shelter cost income deduction for basic food, 388-450-0195 Does the department use my uti

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-752 WAC, Noxious weed seed and plant quarantine by removing Boston ivy as a common name for Hedera hibernica in WAC 16-752-610. The correct scientific name for Boston ivy is a common name for Parthenocissus tricuspidata , which is not a regulated article on the noxious weed seed and plant quarantine list. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-752-610. Statutory Authority fo

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The proposed rule changes clarify terminology related to the department of licensing denials or cancellations of applications for a personalized license plate. Specifically, they clarify "lifestyle" to be more inclusive and specify it's not related to sexual orientation. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-96A-065 Personalized license plates. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.01.110 Rule-making authority

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 chapter 308-17 WAC, Private investigative agencies and private investigators; chapter 308-18 WAC, Private security guard companies and private security guards; and chapter 308-19 WAC, Bail bond agencies and bail bond agents. Statutory Authority for Ad

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The division of occupational safety and health is adopting amendments to update chapter 296-360 WAC and other sections in Title 296 WAC that reference safety and health discrimination protections for workers and replace the term "discrimination" with "retaliation." This is part of a plan that the department of labor and industries developed to use more accurate terminology to describe complaints received from workers who raise workpl

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The adopted rules implement SHB 1218 (chapter 159, Laws of 2021). Amending WAC 388-78A-2700 Emergency and disaster preparedness, 388-97-1740 Disaster and emergency preparedness, and 388-107-1600 Emergency disaster preparedness. These rules were originally proposed under WSR 25-10-071 with a number of other new rules and amendments, which the department of social and health services (department) previously adopted under WSR 25-16-099.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to implement section 16 of ESSB 5291 (chapter 380, Laws of 2025) for a pilot project from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. The rule addresses limitations for beneficiary reimbursement and other services by a financial management services vendor during the pilot. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 388-116-1030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 50B.04.020 (3)(k). Adopted und

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The legislature passed ESB 5721, relating to the creation of a standard automobile insurance appraisal clause language. The new law requires the office of the insurance commissioner to register competent and disinterested umpires who will be identified to appraisers if they are unable to agree on an umpire to resolve their loss dispute. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 284-20-310. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RC

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) licensing and continuing competency rules. The Washington state board of nursing (board) adopted amendments to WAC 246-840-015 through 246-840-125 and 246-840-210 through 246-840-260; added new WAC 246-840-033, 246-840-091, and 246-840-092; and repealed WAC 246-840-048. The updates clarify and update outdated language, rewrite and reformat existing rules to reflect current best

Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2026. Purpose: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated their hazard communication standard in 29 C.F.R. 1910.1200. This update was made to better protect workers by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets. Having better information will allow workers and first responders to react more quickly in the event of an emergency. Adopted amendments: • Made updates consistent with the provisions

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: These WAC revisions are necessary to redefine definitions to better capture the intent of the rules and to create new infractions that align with current department philosophy. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 137-25-030, 137-56-030, 137-56-040, 137-56-070, 137-56-095, 137-56-110, 137-56-160, and 137-56-175. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 72.01.090 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-21-143 on October

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The final rule implements provisions of E2SSB 5213 (chapter 242, Laws of 2024, codified at chapter 48.200 RCW) that go into effect January 1, 2026. This law regulates the business practices of health care benefit managers (HCBMs), including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The final rule allows the office of the insurance commissioner (OIC) to continue effective oversight of HCBMs. The final rule ensures that affected entities under

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The effective date is required to match the date the statutory changes come into effect, and any further delay in implementing the new rules would create confusion with the public by referencing repealed statutory citations. Purpose: To change all statutory citations within Title 390 WAC to match the recodified law under new Title 29B RCW. Citation of

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended this chapter to clarify rules for rural health clinics (RHC) applying for a change in scope rate adjustment and an interim-rate to final-rate adjustment. The agency clarified that it is the agency's intent to align with the medicare cost report (MCR) with regard to all-inclusive rates or individual rates by RHC; specifically, that the agency follows the rate structure calculated in the MCR w

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended this rule to update the manufacturer's suggested retail price list and invoice dating requirements. Invoices and price lists provided to the agency to support claims for by report items must be dated within 12 months prior to the date of service. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-543-9000. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Washington department of fish and wildlife classified the island marble butterfly as endangered and amended WAC 220-610-010 Wildlife classified as endangered species, to include island marble butterfly among the other listed endangered wildlife. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-610-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.013 , 77.04.020 , 77.04.055 , 77.12.047 , and 77.12.020 . Other Aut

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Implements SSB 5579 (codified at RCW 48.43.732 ). This law regulates public statements by health carriers and certain health care facilities and providers regarding potential contract expirations and terminations. The final rule ensures that interested organizations understand their rights and obligations under the new law. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 284-170-131, 284-170-365, 284-170-441, 284-170-443, 284-170-4

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Housekeeping revisions to chapter 516-21 WAC; specifically, updating employee titles to align with the current organizational structure. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 516-21-010, 516-21-020, 516-21-030, 516-21-110, 516-21-195, 516-21-220, 516-21-240, 516-21-245, 516-21-250, 516-21-260, 516-21-270, 516-21-280, 516-21-290, 516-21-299, 516-21-300, 516-21-310, 516-21-330, and 516-21-340. Statutory Authority for A

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-447-0005 What evidence do we consider to determine incapacity? and 388-449-0010 What evidence do we consider to determine disability? These amendments clarify which health care professionals can be considered as a supplemental or treating medical source and update chemical dependency professional titles to be consistent with current certification language.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-450-0015 What types of income are not used by the department to figure out my benefits? These amendments provide clarity on exempt income types for cash and basic food assistance calculations and better align with statute and federal law. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-450-0015. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050 ,

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending WAC 458-57-105 Nature of estate tax, definitions, 458-57-115 Valuation of property, property subject to estate tax, and how to calculate the tax, 458-57-155 Farm deduction, and 458-57-175 Qualified family-owned business interests, to incorporate the 2025 estate tax legislation adopted in ESSB 5813 to increase funding for the education legacy trust account. The Washington legislature enacted statu

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The department of revenue (department) is adopting these rules with an effective date of January 1st because, per statute, these rules provide rates used for refunds and property valuations during 2026. Purpose: The department is amending: WAC 458-18-220 to provide the rate of interest for treasury bill auction year 2025, which is used when refunding p

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making is required by law and will guide cities and counties in implementing HB [E2SHB] 1181, requiring new climate elements within their comprehensive plans. Intended outcomes include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhancing climate resilience, and integrating climate considerations in land use planning. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 365-196-443; and amending WAC 365-195-900, 365-195-905, 365-

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: RCW 48.29.210 (2) prohibits title insurers from giving anything of value to any person in a position to refer or influence the referral of title insurance business. Certain exceptions to this prohibition are specified in rule, including conducting or sponsoring educational programs. Current rules concerning title insurers conducting or sponsoring educational programs are ambiguous and need clarification. The office of the insurance c

Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2026. Purpose: Office of environmental health and safety programs fees. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to fees for the office of environmental health and safety programs to cover operating costs for WAC 246-282-990 for commercial shellfish. This adoption includes making editorial updates, creating new fees, removing obsolete fees, clarifying existing fees, and aligning with the code reviser's 2025 Bill Drafting Guide. Under notice

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates to chapter 132H-140 WAC, College property use. The purpose of defining public and nonpublic areas in this policy/WAC will clarify access for individuals seeking entrance to areas of campus in relation to the Keep Washington Working Act. This brings policy 6100 into alignment with policy 6120, Use of college property for expressive activity (chapter 132H-142 WAC). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 132H-140

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule is necessary to update existing rules to align with changes in state and federal law and insurance-related legislation. The rule ensures that affected entities understand their rights and obligations under the new legislation. The rule updates the essential health benefit plan coverage requirements. The rule also provides greater clarity around reporting responsibilities for ground ambulance locally set rates. The rule upda

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: This rule making implements HB [ESHB] 1493 (impaired driving), which takes effect January 1, 2026. Implementation of this rule by January 1st satisfies RCW 34.05.380 (3)(a) and (c), as the effective date is outlined in statute and there is a potential risk to public safety if not implemented by the effective date. Purpose: This rule making will impleme

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Licensure requirements for expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs). The dental quality assurance commission is adopting amendments to WAC 246-817-195 to allow the EFDA training for amalgam restorations on actual clinical patients to be optional. The amended rule allows amalgam restoration training on typodonts (plastic models) or on clinical patients, rather than requiring both. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending

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 chapter 36-12 WAC, Professional boxing; chapter 36-14 WAC, Professional and amateur martial arts; and WAC 36-13-110 Miscellaneous provisions for promoters and/or theatrical wrestling schools. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.235.030 Disciplina

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 388-487-0010 What is the sun bucks program?, 388-487-0020 Is my child eligible for sun bucks?, and 388-487-0030 General information about sun bucks benefits. These amendments are necessary for the continued implementation and ongoing management of the sun bucks program. As applicable, these amendments make additional changes required to improve cl

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Washington's lottery (lottery) is revising Title 315 WAC, Lottery commission. The lottery's amendments update and clarify the claim and payment processes along with general housekeeping including, but not limited to, ensuring cross references are accurate and reflecting changes such as new office addresses. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending Title 315 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 67.70.040 (1). Adopted u

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Chapter 173-905 WAC is a new rule that clarifies plan and annual reporting requirements, establishes a determination of fees to cover the department of ecology's (ecology) costs of overseeing the program, and establish new battery management standards to ensure the safe and effective handling and disposal of collected batteries. The rule also clarifies performance targets and goals, defines demonstrable costs of local governments par

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Dental assistant registration; adding minimum age requirements. The dental quality assurance commission (commission) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-817-190 to align with the rule language in the department of labor and industries (L&I) WAC 296-125-030 Prohibited and hazardous employment — All minors. Aligning this rule with L&I's WAC 296-125-030 allows the commission to enforce prohibiting minors from working in environments where

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Occupational therapists; updating references to continuing competency hours. The occupational therapy practice board (board) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-847-055 and 246-847-067 to align references of required continuing competency hours throughout the chapter. In 2025, the board adopted amendments to several sections in chapter 246-847 WAC to implement recently enacted law, RCW 18.130.077 , addressing licensure requirement waiv

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to implement 2SHB 1524, related to isolated employee protections. Currently, chapter 49.60 RCW requires employers in the janitorial, hospitality, retail, and security industries to take certain precautions to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault of isolated employees. Isolated employees are those working as a janitor, security guard, hotel or motel housekeeper, or room service attendant and

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Chapter 246-282 WAC, Sanitary control of shellfish. The state board of health (board) has adopted amendments to chapter 246-282 WAC, with the exception of WAC 246-282-990, and created two new sections, WAC 246-282-017 and 246-282-044, to modify harvest control requirements by setting more proactive measures to prevent illnesses and protect public health. The adopted rule also updates definitions, makes changes to seed size and variou

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates the title of the administrator responsible for compliance efforts. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 172-325-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.35.120 (12). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-21-048 on October 9, 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 Recently Enacted

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); state action levels, state maximum contaminant levels and public notifications for Group A public water supplies in chapter 246-290 WAC. The state board of health (board) adopted amendments to WAC 246-290-315, State action levels (SALs) and state minimum contaminant levels (MCLs), and 246-290-71006 Public notice for contaminants with a SAL and other unregulated contaminants, to align with t

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The categories of when a brief adjudicative proceeding (BAP) can be used were expanded to include disciplinary matters where alleged violations are simple and can be proven solely with documentary evidence, and the types of records required for a BAP were also updated. Amendments to both sections improve consistency in the disciplinary process while continuing to provide due process and allowing the process to move quickly and fairly

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates the definition of directory information. Information contained in the definition of directory information may be disclosed from a student education record consistent with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act unless a student opts out of disclosure. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 172-191-100. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.35.120 (12). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-21-047 on Oct

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended these rules to remove reference to "other medically necessary services" to align with SHB 2051, chapter 367, Laws of 2025 (which struck subsection (13)(b) and (c) from RCW 74.09.520 ). Additionally, the agency updated 3M to Solventum™. This permanent rule adoption supersedes the emergency rules filed under WSR 25-23-068 on November 18, 2025. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Big Bend Community College (college) has revised chapter 132R-04 WAC, Student code of conduct, in order to continue to ensure compliance with the Title IX regulatory requirements. The college previously amended this code in consideration of the federal regulations made effective in August 2024. However, in Tennessee v. Cardona , No. 2:24-00072 (January 9, 2025), the court vacated the 2024 Title IX federal regulations. The United Stat

In the matter of amending and adopting rules in chapter 480-100 WAC relating to markets and compliance requirements for the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). 1. STATUTORY OR OTHER AUTHORITY: The Washington utilities and transportation commission (commission) takes this action under Notice No. WSR 25-15-112, filed with the code reviser on July 18, 2025. The commission has authority to take this action pursuant to RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160 ; chapter 80.28 RCW, Gas, electrical, and water co

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 192-01-001 sets forth the employment security department's (department) rule governance statement. The rule explains what chapters in Title 192 WAC apply to which programs administered by the department. Currently, WAC 192-01-001 states that the department administers programs under Titles 50, 50A, and portions of 50B RCW. ESSB 5525 (2025) created a new chapter in Title 49 RCW and provided authority to the department to adopt rul