Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: January 19, 2026. Purpose: The health care authority is streamlining its processes for enrollment in and retention of eligibility for medicare savings programs. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-503-0005 and 182-517-0100. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-22-013 on October 24, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Fe

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: Licensed mental health counselor associates, University of Washington health sciences library (HEAL-WA) fee. The department of health is adopting amendments to WAC 246-809-990 to implement HB 1190 (chapter 19, Laws of 2025). This legislation expands access to the University of Washington's online health sciences library (HEAL-WA) for licensed mental health counselor associates. As part of this implementation, WAC 246-809-990 is amended to include a

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Nursing home administrators — Administrator-in-training programs and endorsement requirements. The board of nursing home administrators (board) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-843-090 Administrator-in-training program, by updating the program to allow participants to visit other facilities during their program, which will expand their training experience, allowing them to see how a different facility with different services is mana

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: RCW 34.05.385 (3)(a), the rules implement legislation that has an effective date of January 1, 2026. Purpose: The paid family and medical leave (PFML) program (Title 50A RCW) is adopting new and amended rules related to the implementation of E2SHB 1213 (chapter 304, Laws of 2025) and SSB 5191 (chapter 178, Laws of 2025), which passed during the 2025 le

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The proposed change is to repeal chapter 132Z-119 WAC, which is a now-outdated version of the Title IX supplemental student conduct code. Chapter 132Z-119 WAC has been replaced with chapter 132Z-120 WAC, which complies with the current Title IX regulations. WAC 132Z-120 was subject to rule making; a rule-making hearing was held on August 5, and the rules were approved by the Cascadia College board of trustees on September 17, 2025. C

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The current rules under chapter 434-12A WAC are out-of-date. The amendments update and clarify procedures for responding to public records requests within the office of secretary of state. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 434-12A WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 42.56 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-13-029 on July 11, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal St

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Vancouver Lake: In 2024, the Washington state legislature passed HB 1226, which provided revisions to RCW 77.32.[0]10, thereby rescinding previous exemptions to fishing license requirements while fishing for smelt, crayfish, and common carp (i.e., a license is required to fish for these species following passage). However, HB 1226 provided an exception to the license requirement when fishing for common carp in Vancouver Lake. This ex

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-418-0011 What is a mid-certification review, and do I have to complete one in order to keep receiving benefits? These amendments are necessary to comply with the approved federal waiver for the elderly simplified application project (ESAP), requiring periodic reviews every six months for the remaining months of the 36-month certification period when ESAP e

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Cranes, rigging, and personnel lifting; update definition of qualified evaluator (employer) under WAC 296-155-52902 Definitions. The division of occupational safety and health (DOSH) is adopting this rule making to make a technical correction to the definition of qualified evaluator (employer). DOSH completed a comprehensive update to chapter 296-155 WAC, Part L, which regulates the use of cranes in construction, in August 2025 under

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this proposal is to amend chapters 296-128 and 296-135 WAC to align with recently passed legislation: SSB 5101, concerning access to leave for victims of hate crimes, ESHB 1875, concerning use of paid sick leave for immigration proceedings, and ESHB 1332, concerning transportation network companies. SSB 5101 (chapter 375, Laws of 2025) adds "hate crimes" to the acceptable uses of leave under the Domestic Violence Leave

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: The Washington state noxious weed list provides the basis for noxious weed control efforts for county and district weed control boards, as well as other entities. This rule-making order amends chapter 16-750 WAC noxious weed list. WAC 16-750-005 Class A noxious weed additions: • Waterhemp ( Amaranthus tuberculatus ) • Delta arrowhead ( Sagittaria platyphylla ) WAC 16-750-015 Class C noxious weed additions: • Black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia )

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this proposal is to amend WAC 388-106-0010 What definitions apply to this chapter?, to implement HB [SHB] 1942 (chapter 224, Laws of 2024) to not consider an individual provider to be a source of informal support. Additionally, changes include WAC 388-106-0090 How does the CARE tool measure cognitive performance?, to align with requirements defined in WAC 388-106-0010, ["]Ability to make self understood.["] Citation of

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2027. Purpose: To help ensure access to primary care, behavioral health, and affordable hospital services, the health care authority (HCA) has developed new rules, as required under RCW 41.05.028 . Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New chapter 182-40 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Other Authority: RCW 41.05.028 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-20-081 on September 30, 2025. Changes Other than Editing from Propo

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The employment security department (department) is adopting new rules and amendments regarding the long-term services and supports trust program (WA Cares fund) to implement portions of ESSB 5291 (chapter 380, Laws of 2025). The adopted rules implement portions of ESSB 5291 and include requirements regarding qualifying for benefits, a new voluntary exemption for off-duty civilian employment for active-duty service members, automatic

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: The financial and business services division is amending rules to be compliant with ESB [ESSB] 5167, which requires the department of children, youth, and families to adopt rules notifying caregivers and legal parties of dependency proceedings when they apply for Social Security and other public benefits on behalf of children or youth in foster care. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 110-50-1170, 110-50-1180, and 110-50-1190; and

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: To align the civil service rules, Title 357 WAC, with the requirements of the law. SSB 5101 (chapter 375, Laws of 2025), passed during the 2025 legislative session with an effective date of January 1, 2026. This bill amends the Domestic Violence Leave Act, chapter 49.76 RCW, to extend protections to employees who are victims of hate crimes, or who have a family member who is a victim. The amendment to WAC 357-01-172 is to add hate crimes to domes

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: To align WAC 357-16-017 with the requirements of the law. SSB 5408, chapter 383, Laws of 2025, passed during the 2025 legislative session and became effective July 27, 2025. This bill amends RCW 49.58.110 to require employers to disclose a fixed wage amount rather than a scale or range if the employer is offering only a fixed wage amount. The amendment to WAC 357-16-017 is to add that an employer must disclose a fixed wage amount rather than a sa

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Removing licensure barriers for podiatric physicians and surgeons. The podiatric medical board (board) has adopted amendments to WAC 246-922-055 Reciprocity requirements, that clarify and align the rule with RCW 18.130.077 . RCW 18.130.077 requires that disciplining authorities for licensed professionals waive education, training, experience, and exam requirements for applicants who have been credentialed in another state or states w

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: The Washington state board of health is adopting this rule to add three new conditions, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency, and arginase 1 deficiency, to the mandatory newborn screening panel in WAC 246-650-010 and 246-650-020. Early identification of these conditions is vital to preventing irreversible neurological damage and death. Newborn screening enables prompt treatment through specialized d

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: HB 2135 from the 2024 legislative session amends statutes related to the emergency worker program to include any federally recognized Indian tribe as defined in RCW 43.376.010 as participants. Guidelines for registering, using, and reimbursing emergency workers in chapter 118-04 WAC need to be updated to reflect the inclusion of tribes and their unique needs and priorities. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 1

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) is revising this rule to clarify language in subsection (3)(c) and remove subsection (3)(d) to make it less prescriptive based on a review of evidence provided by the health technology clinical committee (HTCC) decision findings. Additionally, the agency is updating the developmental disabilities administration (DDA) name to align with the name change initiated by the department of social and health

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: This rule adoption amends the tables of classification base premium rates, experience rating plan parameters, and experience modification factor calculation limitations for the workers' compensation insurance program for calendar year 2026. Classification base rates were updated to align with expected losses. The department of labor and industries (L&I) is adopting a 4.9 percent overall average premium rate increase. Washington law provides that

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Adopting rules for hospital emergency care, including emergency abortion care in Washington state. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-320-010 and 246-320-281 in accordance with recently passed legislation and Directive of the Governor 25-01 to ensure access to treatment, including abortion care, for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments and protection of a pregnant person'

Effective Date of Rule: August 31, 2026. Purpose: Adopt rules that amend the buffer requirements for nonfish streams in western Washington. The rule change creates additional protections for riparian areas associated with Np stream segments to ensure the buffers protect water quality and other aquatic resources from potential temperature increases. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 222-30-0211; and amending WAC 222-30-021. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 76.09.040 and 76.09

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026. Purpose: SHB 1244, which amended RCW 46.20.2892 , creates a process for termination of a suspension when a driver takes and successfully completes a safe driving course. The department of licensing conducted rule making to further clarify the process for termination of a suspension for the accumulation of traffic infractions, concerning training as an alternative to driver license suspension. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 308-104-028 Ear

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To be in compliance with 2020 Title IX rules. On January 9, 2025, a United States district court vacated the final rule made on April 24, 2024. This notice is regarding Peninsula College adopting the 2020 Title IX rules and updating definitions in the student rights and responsibilities to be in compliance with the 2020 Title IX rules. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 132A-127 WAC. Statutory Authority for Ad

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is adopting amendments to chapter 173-337 WAC, Safer products restrictions and reporting. The amended rule restricts the manufacture, sale, and distribution of the following consumer product categories in Washington state that contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): • Apparel and accessories • Automotive washes • Cleaning products In addition to thes

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: RCW 88.16.260 (1)(d) states that the board of pilotage commissioners (BPC) must adhere to the following interim milestones to achieve the rule adoption by December 31, 2025: (i) By September 1, 2020, identify and define the zones, specified in subsection (3)(a) of this section, to inform the analysis required under subsection (5) of this s

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this amended WAC is to allow school districts in binding conditions to loan money from their transportation vehicle fund (TVF) to their general fund in order to maintain a positive cash flow in their general fund. When other binding condition efforts fail to resolve the district's financial issues and insolvency is imminent, and to ensure that the district will have a positive cash flow to meet obligations, the propose

Effective Date of Rule: May 1, 2026. Purpose: The licensing division (LD) updated chapter 110-145 WAC to align with the D.S. Settlement Agreement. This required the department of children, youth, and families to amend these rules to make them more developmentally appropriate and flexible to meet the individual children's and youth's needs. This project worked with stakeholders to identify areas that needed clarification and make general housekeeping updates. LD engaged in the negotiated rule-mak

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Pierce College has engaged with the rule-making process to update processes and procedures associated with chapter 132K-276 WAC regarding public records. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 132K-276-085. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 (13). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-19-059 on September 11, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Repeal WAC 132H-160-280 Request for reconsideration of admission decision. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 132H-160-280. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 and chapter 34.05 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-19-054 on September 10, 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

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: In 2025, the legislature passed a fire loss reporting bill, 2SSB 5419 (chapter 225, Laws of 2025), which requires insurers to report fire losses to the office of the insurance commissioner instead of to the Washington state patrol. This rule implements SSB 5419 and assists insurance companies with fire loss data reporting requirements. A new subsection is added to WAC 284-20-010 directing authorized insurers to our website for instru

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Making updates to reflect current state guidelines on background checks, provide clear definitions, simplify bureaucratic language, and align with other state WAC. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 67-16 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 74.18 RCW, Department of services for the blind; P.L. 113-128; and 34 C.F.R. Part 361. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-20-102 on September 30, 2025. Number

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: Classification development's goal is to implement clear rule writing to ensure staff and customers can easily understand and apply the workers' compensation insurance classification and reporting rules. Classification development reviewed classifications and reporting rules for improvement and clarification. The purpose of this rule making is not to make substantive changes to how employers are classified and amendments will not increase employer

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making adopts the 2026 edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 70, also known as the National Electrical Code (NEC), and makes other amendments under chapter 296-46B WAC. The 2026 NEC replaces the current 2023 edition. The NEC sets the standard for safe electrical installations in homes, businesses, and institutions to protect people and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. The department

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending chapters 226-01 and 226-02 WAC to update and comply with chapter 42.56 RCW. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 226-01-080, 226-01-090, 226-01-110, 226-01-111, 226-01-112, 226-01-113, and 226-01-114; repealing WAC 226-01-030, 226-01-060, and 226-02-050; and amending WAC 226-01-010, 226-01-040, 226-01-050, 226-02-010, 226-02-020, 226-02-030, 226-02-040, 226-02-060, 226-02-070, 226-02-080, 226-02-090, and 226-02-

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The developmental disabilities community services (DDCS) is adopting new sections of rule to implement E2SSB 5440 (2023), which directs the department of social and health services to develop a process for connecting individuals who have been found not competent to stand trial due to an intellectual or developmental disability to available wraparound services and supports in community-based settings. DDCS has previously submitted eme

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-101 WAC, Washington state milk and milk products standards, by: • Adopting the 2023 revision of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance" (PMO); • Adopting the 2023 revision of the "Procedures Governing the Cooperative State-Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration Program of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments"; • Adopting the 2023 revision of the "Methods of Makin

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) is amending these rules to expand coverage for family planning-related services and supplies when related to a family planning visit. The agency is also amending these rules to provide clarification and to align with the Washington family planning only demonstration waiver and other agency rules. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-532-001, 182-532-500, 182-532-520, 182-532-530, 182-532-55

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To implement RCW 43.20B.030 , as amended by section 1, chapter 331, Laws of 2025 (SB 5079), the health care authority amended WAC 182-520-0015 to give the governing agencies the authority to waive collections when they determine that a state agency error caused a long-term services and supports client overpayment. This permanent rule adoption supersedes the emergency rules filed under WSR 25-22-005 on October 23, 2025. Citation of Ru

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends WAC 16-390-240 USDA audit verification and terminal market inspection fees, by adopting fees identical to, and not less than, fees adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) as published in the Federal Register (Vol 90, No. 81) on April 29, 2025 under the "Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Products (Inspection, Certification, and Standards)" table

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority is amending the supervision requirements in chapter 182-116 WAC and updating the titles for certified peer support specialists and certified peer support specialist trainees to align with RCW 18.420.010 , 71.24.920 , and chapter 246-929 WAC. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-115-0100, 182-115-0300, 182-116-0100, and 182-116-0200. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 , 41.0

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-610 WAC, Livestock identification, by changing the reference in WAC 16-610-122 to the type of document that must be obtained before livestock can be removed from a public livestock market from "livestock clearance from the director" to "livestock inspection certificate." Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-610-122. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 16.65.020 . Adopted

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 establishes parameters for the pilot project, including participating locations, capacity limitations, approved services limitations, and other topics necessary for the pilot. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 388-116-1020. Statutory Authority for

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Denturist rules regarding updating renewal licensure requirements of the jurisprudence (JP) examination. The board of denturists (board) is adopting revisions in WAC 246-812-159 to require the JP examination annually. The JP exam was required for initial licensure and optional for continuing education credit for licensed denturists. The anticipated effects of changing the JP exam to an annual requirement include a decrease in discipl

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: RCW 47.28.070 authorizes the department of transportation (DOT) to furnish any person, firm, or corporation desiring to bid upon any work for which a call for bid proposals has [been] published [with] a contract proposal form only if the person, firm, or corporation meets certain requirements. Specific to these requirements is a satisfactory record of performance, integrity, judgment, and skills. The performance, integrity, judgment,

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending WAC 136-60-070 to make changes to the standard of good practice for maintenance of county road logs. Amending chapter 136-070 WAC to make changes to the standard of good practice for pavement management system requirements for county arterial preservation program eligibility. Amending WAC 136-100-050 to an out-of-date for the source of rural land area. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 136-60-070, 136-70