Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Repeal WAC 220-660-490, which incorporates RCW 77.55.480 by reference into the hydraulic code rules. RCW 77.55.480 created the habitat recovery pilot program (HRPP). The purpose of the HRPP program was to streamline state and local permitting for qualifying fish habitat restoration projects. The HRPP program expired on June 30, 2025. With the expiration of the pilot program, permitting procedures have reverted to the pre-HRPP require

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The passage of SSB 5583 has a wide-ranging impact on the department of fish and wildlife (department) regulations and amends recreational licensing fees for both hunting and fishing in chapters 77.08 , 77.12, and 77.32 RCW, among other changes. The amended laws primarily increase a broad range of recreational hunting and some fishing license fees for the public, but also provide discounts for hunters over 70 years old. The bill provi

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC update with clarifying language regarding curriculum and instruction review. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC-181-78A-100. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-16-037 on September 18, 2025 [July 29, 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 Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repeal

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To align and clarify WAC language to better reflect the changes made to the in-service education provider system as directed by HB [2ESHB] 1377 (2024). In 2024, state legislators approved HB [2ESHB] 1377, directing changes to the in-service education provider system. This bill identified a shift in authority around approving in-service education providers, specifying greater involvement from the professional educator standards board

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The passage of SSB 5583 requires the department of fish and wildlife (department) to amend recreational licensing fees for both hunting and fishing while the passage of SHB 1325 requires the department to amend hunting rules concerning big game violations. The purpose of this expedited rule making is to address changes to three rules, WAC 220-200-080, 220-200-090, and 220-412-030, that are simultaneously affected by the passage of bo

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Naturopathic physician licensure fees; removing the jurisprudence exam fee from the naturopathic physician licensure fees in WAC 246-836-990. In February 2025, the board of naturopathy (board) adopted amendments to WAC 246-836-020 and 246-836-040 that remove the jurisprudence exam as a requirement for initial licensure and instead require the exam to maintain licensure. The purpose of the board's amendment was to align current rules

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule aligns WAC with RCW 46.70.083 ; specifically, changing the rule which is currently more restrictive to licensees than statute. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-66-140 Place of business and places of business. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.70.023 Place of business, 46.70.083 Expiration of license — Renewal — Certification of established place of business, and 46.70.160 Rules and regulatio

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To bring the Columbia Basin College's public records officer up-to-date, to include the position title only and no name. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 132S-10-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140 (13). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-15-080 on July 16, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Ground ambulance services; balance billing. The department of health (department) is adopting rule changes in response to SSB 5986 (chapter 218, Laws of 2024), regarding out-of-network health care charges for ground ambulance services, and licensed ground emergency medical service (EMS) services. The department is adopting amendments to WAC 246-976-260 and 246-976-270 to clarify the department's role related to ground ambulance balan

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of the adoption is to amend rules related to supportive housing programs that need to align with policies that have been updated through an administrative process, and to define the department of social and health services' (department) supportive housing program rules. Other necessary changes and corrections related to grammar, numerical representation, consistency, and inclusive language are included, and will clarify s

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-482-0005 How does being a student of higher education affect my eligibility for the Washington basic food program? These amendments are necessary to align WAC with federal rules regarding student eligibility and remove language regarding the temporary expansion of student eligibility for food assistance during the public health emergency, which ended May 1

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Dietitian and nutritionist certification standards; removing barriers and updating rules to align with recent legislation. The department of health (department) is adopting two new sections to chapter 246-822 WAC to align with 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077 . RCW 18.130.077 directs disciplining authorities to waive certain requirements for applicants seeking certification if the applicant has been c

Effective Date of Rule: One business day after filing. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: This rule implements chapter 52, Laws of 2025, which went into effect on July 27, 2025. Because the law is already in effect, the department of retirement systems is putting the rule into effect one day after filing. Purpose: Rule making to implement chapter 52, Laws of 2025, regarding volunteer firefighter participation in the state defe

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Creating a new section in chapter 308-08 WAC to clarify current agency procedures regarding the process for filing a petition for review of an initial order and clarifying that initial orders become final if there is no petition for review by the deadline. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 308-08-405 Adjudicative proceedings — Initial orders — Petition for review — Finality. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.23

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Changing structure of district requirements for commodity board positions. New structure will remove district 2 requirement for position 4 and read as: District 1 shall have four board members, being positions 1, 2, 3, and 4, and shall include the counties Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and King. Increasing board limit by one additional year. Changing verbiage on qualifications to allow employees of eligible producers. Citation of Rules

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending WAC 308-56A-210 and 308-93-440 to clarify that customers will not be required to seek releases of interest from the prior owner before entering ownership in doubt. This proposed change will align rules with RCW 46.12.635 , which protects the names and addresses of vehicle and vessel owners. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-56A-210 Ownership in doubt — Bonded title or three-year registration without

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Anesthesiologist assistant (AA) profession fees. The department of health (department), in consultation with the Washington medical commission (commission), is adopting new WAC 246-921-990 to implement the licensing and regulation fees for the new AA profession. In the 2024 legislative session, the legislature passed SB 5184 (chapter 362, Laws of 2024), codified in chapter 18.71D RCW, that directs the commission to adopt rules necess

Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2026. Purpose: The purpose is to codify the permanent water typing system rule to accurately determine the extent of fish habitat and to inform the appropriate application of riparian protections needed while undertaking forest practice activities. The rule replaces the interim water typing system and includes a fish habitat assessment methodology (FHAM) for establishing the break between fish and nonfish bearing waters; a description of off-channel habitat for f

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Revising WAC 139-06-060, 139-06-070, 139-06-080, and 139-06-110 for consistency and compliance with recent law changes. These WAC guide stakeholders on the certification hearings process. The passage of new legislation has resulted in the need for updates to these WAC, such as the removal of language stating that the administrative law judge issues a proposed recommendation to the certification hearing panel, thus resulting in a chan

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority is streamlining eligibility for the state-funded long-term care program, including removing the age requirement and eliminating the disability determination requirement while retaining the functional eligibility requirement. The proposed rules also reflect necessary housekeeping revisions to align with organizational changes within the department of social and health services. Citation of Rules Affected by t

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state liquor and cannabis board amended WAC 314-02-045 to reduce the number of days per week that beer restaurant and wine restaurant licensees must be open to the public from three days per week to two days per week. This rule making also incorporates license fee increases from $200 per year to $300 per year for both beer and wine restaurant licenses, consistent with requirements of 2SSB 5786 (chapter 343, Laws of 202

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 446-65-010(1) needs to be amended to bring the Code of Federal Regulations adopted by reference current to April 25, 2025. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 446-65-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.32.020 and 46.48.170 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-16-103 on August 6, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or S

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority added a new subchapter III, Medical respite program, under chapter 182-565 WAC, Health-related social needs (HRSN) program. This program provides medical respite care for individuals with significant health needs. The program serves individuals with significant behavioral health needs and medical issues who do not require hospitalization but are unable to provide adequate self-care for their medical conditio

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority amended WAC 182-532-510 to expand eligibility for family planning only coverage to people age 26 and younger who are confidentially seeking those services. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-532-510. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-15-010 on July 3, 2025. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Sta

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) adopted new WAC 246-945-003 that incorporates by reference the sections of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) that apply to manufacturers, distributors, and other pharmaceutical firms licensed by the commission and under the jurisdiction of DSCSA. FDA completed updates to DSCSA in 2023, but has allowed a "stabilization period" for entities to come into compliance. The pur

Effective Date of Rule: September 5, 2025. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: This rule implements chapter 284, Laws of 2025, which went into effect on May 15, 2025. Because the law is already in effect, the department of retirement systems (DRS) is putting the rule into effect one day after filing. Purpose: Revising rules to implement changes from chapter 284, Laws of 2025, regarding certain school employee postretirement emp

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended this rule to clarify language without changing the rule's effect. Updated chemical-using pregnant women to substance-using pregnant people. The revision allows for alignment with agency standard language. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-550-4800. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-14-063 on June 27,

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended WAC 182-502-0160 Billing a client, to correct the internet address at which the public can obtain agency forms, including agency form 13-879, Agreement to Pay for Healthcare Services. The correct address is https://www.hca.wa.gov/billers-providers-partners/forms-and-publications . Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-502-0160. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule interprets when an application for emergency funding meets the requirements of RCW 43.155.160 (14). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 399-80-010(14). Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.155.040 (5). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-09-162 on April 23, 2025. Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The public works board (PWB) made the following substantive changes from the p

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Clarifying that a registered domestic partnership is treated the same as a spousal relationship for purposes of selecting a retirement benefit option. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 415-103-215, 415-103-225, 415-104-215, 415-106-600, 415-108-326, 415-110-610, and 415-112-505. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.50.050 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-14-090 on June 30, 2025. Number of Sections Adopt

Effective Date of Rule: September 30, 2025. Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: RCW 82.04.281 requires the department of revenue to publish a standard deduction by rule by September 30, 2020, and by September 30th of every fifth year thereafter, based on the national average thereof as reported by the United States Census Bureau's economic census. Purpose: This rule provides tax reporting instructions for persons in the radio a

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The adopted rule was federally initiated. In July 2023, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated federal rules to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. The rule went into effect in January 2024. The division of occupational safety and health must update WAC rules in order to remain as-effective-as OSHA, as required by the Washington state plan. Adopted amendments: • Numerated definition

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Bates Technical College (college) amended its student conduct code to comply with sex discrimination grievance procedures promulgated by the United States Department of Education as part of its Title IX regulations adopted in 2024. Those rules were vacated by a federal district court and are no longer effective in any jurisdiction. The purpose of these emergency rules is to bring the college's student conduct code into compliance wit

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) adopted new chapter 173-339 WAC, Cosmetic products restrictions. The adopted rule: • Restricts the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cosmetic products in Washington state that contain intentionally added formaldehyde and chemicals that release formaldehyde. • Identifies 25 formaldehyde-releasing chemicals that are restricted by rule when intentionally added to cosmetic product

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority revised these rules to ensure alignment with its current billing practices. The amendments standardize billing policies while maintaining compliance with applicable federal guidelines. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-531-0050, 182-531-0450, 182-531-0900, 182-531-1150, 182-531-1250, and 182-531-1350. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160 . Adopted under notic

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2026. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to comply with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid [Services] regulations related to home and community-based settings in adult family homes (AFH), assisted living facilities (ALF), and enhanced services facilities (ESF). Compliance with the regulations is necessary to administer the state's medicaid funded long-term services and supports programs, RCW 74.09.520 (2) and 74.39A.007 . Changes to the chapters create

Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2025. Purpose: In order to meet statutory direction, this rule eliminates tolling exemptions for publicly and privately operated transit buses, vans, and ride share vehicles on tolled bridges (State Route (SR) 520 Bridge and the SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge), effective October 1, 2025. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 468-270-085. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 47.46.100 , 47.56.030 , 47.46.105 , 47.56.795 , and 47.56.850 . Adopted u

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The new chapter of rule implements requirements under chapter 50B.04 RCW related to defining approved services, requirements for determining eligibility to receive approved services, and requirements to provide approved services. The rules govern beneficiaries of the long-term services and supports trust, and providers who want to provide approved services to eligible beneficiaries. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 3

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Nurse administrator education and experience requirements for baccalaureate nursing education programs. The Washington state board of nursing permanently adopted amendments to education and experience requirements for nurse administrators of baccalaureate nursing education programs in WAC 246-840-517 in response to E2SSB 5582 (chapter 126, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.79.150 . Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending W

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Uniform facility enforcement frameworks for pharmacy. The pharmacy quality assurance commission (commission) is adopting new WAC 246-945-007 Civil fines, to implement a uniform process for fining pharmaceutical firms, which is required by ESSB 5271 (chapter 121, Laws of 2024). The adopted rule establishes civil fines in relation to the severity and scope of the noncompliance and operation size of the licensee. The anticipated effect

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making is increasing the current fee assessed on original and renewal real estate broker and managing broker licenses from $10 to $20 to fund the real estate research center per HB 1552, passed during the 2025 legislative session. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-124A-775 Real estate fees. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.85.041 Director — General powers and duties, 18.85.061 License fees —

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Updates are necessary to implement 24 bills passed between 2019 and 2024 relating to housing, urban growth areas, and rural planning. This includes changes in how local governments plan for affordable housing, increases in residential density, accessory dwelling units, tiny houses, design review, local project review, urban growth area swaps, and infill development in limited areas of more intensive rural development. Citation of Rul

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The division of child support (DCS) is amending WAC 388-14A-1020 and adding new WAC 388-14A-4630 to implement HB 1262 (chapter 248, Laws of 2023). HB 1262, which took effect on July 23, 2023, is now codified as RCW 26.23.063 . It establishes a requirement that employers report lump sum payments to DCS over $500 if there is an income withholding order in place for the paying parent that includes an arrears payment. This gives DCS time

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Due to recent updates to the Washington state legislature's website, this rule adoption is necessary to provide the public and state agencies looking for rule-making guidance, code reviser (or CR) forms, closing and publication date calendars, publications, etc., the updated web address (URL) links within the office of the code reviser's WAC. Also includes minor editorial changes in compliance with bill drafting style. Citation of Ru

Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2025. Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to adjust ferry fares and fare policies to meet legislative financial requirements. This includes: (i) Increasing ferry fares by an average of three percent on October 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026; (ii) increasing the peak season surcharge to 35 percent for all routes, consistent with what is currently charged for the San Juan Island routes; and (iii) piloting an extension of the expiration date on multiride from the curre

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of fish and wildlife seeks to create a new rule to prohibit recreational or commercial crabbing or shrimping using pot gear or commercial gillnetting or purse seine fishing near Washington state department of transportation ferry terminals in the Puget Sound. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 220-305-085. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.055 , and 77.12.047 . Adopted under notice

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this expedited rule project is to amend rules based on passage of SHB 1325 and clarify existing enforcement language in hunting rules. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-415-020, 220-415-050, 220-415-060, 220-415-070, 220-415-080, 220-415-090, 220-415-100, 220-415-110, 220-415-120, 220-415-130, 220-414-020, 220-414-060, 220-414-070, 220-414-090, 220-414-100, 220-400-040, 220-416-010, 220-416-030