General Notices

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Lower Columbia College is Hannah Palenske, 1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632, phone 360-442-2100, fax 360-442-2109, email hpalenske@lowercolumbia.edu. Matt Seimears President

NOTICE Title or Subject: Potential Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0051 Core Sets Mandatory Reporting Assurances. Effective Date: October 1, 2024. Description: Washington is submitting SPA 24-0051 to comply with state health official (SHO) letter 23-005 dated December 1, 2023, directing states to submit an SPA attesting to compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandatory annual state reporting requirements for specified core set measures for measuring and imp

Notice of Interpretive and Policy Statements Under chapter 42.56 RCW, the department of ecology (ecology) maintains an index that includes interpretive and policy statements issued by the agency. Under RCW 34.05.230 , we are filing notice in the Washington State Register about these statements. To obtain copies of these items, please copy and paste the web address (URL) from the table below into a web browser to view and download; or submit an email records request to ecology's public records of

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Washington State House of Representatives should be updated as Lucy Collis, 131 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, phone 360-786-0926, email House.PublicRecords@leg.wa.gov. Bernard Dean Chief Clerk

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing Ecology's Second Report on Safer Alternatives to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Food Packaging RCW 70A.222.070 directs the department of ecology (ecology) to determine whether safer alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) currently exist for food packaging applications. Ecology must also publish their findings in the Washington State Register and submit a report on alternatives to the legislature. Final report under RCW 70A.222.070 : Bas

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On September 14, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Brad Thomsen, relating to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 220-440-210 (Black bear timber damage depredation permits—Requirements, restrictions, and issuance) . The Governor's Office denied the appeal on October 22, 2024. d

NOTICE Title or Subject: Potential Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0050 Recovery Audit Contractor. Effective Date: On or after October 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for medicaid recovery audit contractor (RAC) program to comply with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 (a)(42)(B). Concluding the RFP, HCA may submit SPA 24-0050 in order to request a full exception to establish a medicaid RAC program. SPA 24-0050 is under development. HCA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD DRAFT 2022 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING THE 303(d) LIST AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW The department of ecology (ecology) is seeking public comment on the draft Washington state water quality assessment (assessment). The assessment fulfills Washington state's obligation under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) to identify polluted waters (known as the 303(d) list) as well as report on the status of water quality in the state (called the 305(b) report). Ecology

2024 QUARTERLY REPORT ON RULE-MAKING ACTIVITIES Petitions Received The following information is being sent in order to implement RCW 1.08.112 (1)(g) and WAC 1-21-180. The Washington state department of agriculture received one petition for rule making during the third quarter of 2024. Date Requestor Subject 1ST QUARTER (JANUARY THROUGH MARCH) 3/19/2024 Skye Theriot Amending the pronouns used throughout Title 16 WAC to clarify current rule language using modern grammatically correct and inclusive

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On September 23, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Conner Edwards, relating to the Public Disclosure Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 390-16-011 (Registration statement for political committees) and WAC 390-16-012 (Registration statement for candidates) . date : October 8, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel t

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On October 8, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Deborah Jameson on behalf of Neil & Neil, P.S., relating to the Health Care Authority's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 182-513-1530 (Maximum guardianship fee and related cost deductions allowed from a client's participation or room and board on or after June 1, 2018.) . date

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Grays Harbor College is Ja'Shonae Cooks, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520, phone 360-538-4000, fax 360-538-4299, email JaShonae.Cooks@ghc.edu . Ja'Shonae Cooks Executive Assistant to the President and Special Projects

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington State Gambling Commission is Tricia Gullion, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-800-7285, email rules.coordinator@wsgc.wa.gov. Tina Griffin Director

Policy Statement Pursuant to RCW 34.05.230 , the department of labor and industries' fraud prevention and labor standards division issued the following policy statement. Policy: Employment Standards Policy ES.C.4.1. Title: School Week and Work Week for Minors. Issued: September 25, 2024. Description: This amended policy addresses the hours of work rules for minors in both nonagricultural and agricultural jobs. The purpose of this policy is to clarify when employers can schedule minors for work a

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On August 16, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Thomas Myers on behalf of the Personal Care Products Council, relating to the Department of Ecology's denial of a petition to amend or repeal RCW 70A.560.020 (2) (Prohibiting the sale of cosmetic products containing certain added chemicals – Department's duties) . The Governor's office de

Transportation Network Companies Adjustments for 2025 RCW 49.46.300 (4)(b) requires annual adjustments to Washington state's transportation network companies wage based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) index. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined that the CPI-W index increased to an August 2024 index level of 308.640 (1982-84=100). This change results in a 2.35 percent change over the last 12 months. There are seven calculations spec

Noncompetition Enforceability Thresholds for 2025 As per RCW 49.62.040 , the department of labor and industries required to adjust noncompete enforceability thresholds annually to account for inflation using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers index. These thresholds determine whether a noncompetition clause or agreement is enforceable. There are two thresholds, one for employees (RCW 49.62.020 ) and one for independent contractors (RCW 49.62.030 ). The table bel

Calculations for the Executive, Administrative, and Professional (EAP) Exemption Salary Threshold Calculations for 2025 The department of labor and industries recently updated the rule for overtime exemptions for EAP workers, including outside sales and computer professionals. To be exempt from overtime, EAP workers must be salaried, paid a minimum specified salary level, and must primarily perform executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, or computer professional duties as defined

Minimum Wage Calculations for 2025 As per RCW 49.46.020 , the department of labor and industries (L&I) must calculate Washington state's minimum wage based on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers index. L&I has calculated the adjusted minimum wage rate for 2025 to $16.66 per hour, effective January 1, 2025. This is a $.38 per hour increase from 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Maggie Leland, rules coordinator, at 360-902-4504. Maggie Leland Rules Co

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0049 October 2024 Rate Updates. Effective Date: October 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0049 to update the fee schedule (rate) effective dates for several medicaid programs and services. This is a regular, budget-neutral update to keep rates and billing codes in alignment with the coding and coverage changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the state, and other

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On September 18, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Erica Engelhart, relating to the Office of the Secretary of State's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 434-324-026 (Voter Registration Form) . date : September 24, 2024. Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

NOTICE Title or Subject: Supplemental Notice for Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0035 to Add Certified Behavioral Health Support Specialists as Collaborative Care Providers. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) previously filed notice under WSR 24-18-012 of the intent to submit SPA 24-0035 to remove the requirement for physician assistants to be supervised by a physician when providing such services, add licensed mental health counselor associates,

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT ISSUED The department of revenue (department) has issued the following excise tax advisory (ETA): ETA 3014.2024 Self-Produced Fuels . This ETA provides guidance on the application of state and local use tax on self-produced fuels. In addition, this ETA addresses the application of business and occupation tax on the production of self-produced fuels. The department is updating this ETA to incorporate the value of refinery fuel gas for quarter 4, 2024. The value of refinery

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On September 14, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Brad Thomsen, relating to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 220-440-210 (Black bear timber damage depredation permits—Requirements, restrictions, and issuance) . date : September 16, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to

The department of social and health services' division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR) is planning to close some priority of service categories and follow an order of selection for serving customers. This has to do with high requests for services and limited resources. As a result, some customers will have to go on a waiting list. DVR is holding a public forum to hear community feedback about this change. Washington state rehabilitation council and DVR invite you to comment on order of select

Notice of Adoption Policy Statement Title: EMS Data Reporting. Policy Statement Number WEMSIS24-01. Issuing Entity: Department of health. Subject Matter: Postponing enforcement of data reporting requirements using the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System (WEMSIS) for licensed ambulance and aid services (RCW 70.168.090 , WAC 246-976-455). Effective Date: September 30, 2024. Contact Person: Jim Jansen, research, analysis, and data manager, 360-236-2821, jim.jansen@doh.wa.gov .

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0048 Increased Income Limits for Pregnancy and Postpartum Apple Health Programs. Effective Date: November 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0048 to comply with 2E2SSB 5580, which directs HCA to increase the income standard for a pregnant person eligible for apple health pregnancy coverage to at or below 210 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), up from 193 percent of the FPL. SPA 24

Prevailing Rate of Wage Publication Pursuant to RCW 39.12.015 , 39.12.020 , and WAC 296-127-011, on August 30, 2024, the industrial statistician determined and published corrections to several prevailing rates of wage. These rates become effective 30 days from publication on September 29, 2024. Trades impacted by this correction include: (1) Asbestos Abatement Workers (2) Electronic Technicians (3) Fence Erectors (4) Flaggers (5) Hod Carriers and Mason Tenders (6) Laborers (7) Laborers - Undergr

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator designation for Central Washington University is changing to Thomas Pedersen, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926, phone 509-963-2031, email Thomas.Pedersen2@cwu.edu . A. James Wohlpart President

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0026 Community Health Workers, Community Health Representatives, and Community Health Worker Services. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0026 to add community health workers (CHW) and tribal community health representatives (CHR) as provider types to the medicaid state plan. CHWs and CHRs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have a

The workforce training and education coordinating board seeks to update the public records officer to communications manager, Andrew Lenderman, email andrew.lenderman@wtb.wa.gov . The rest of the information for our agency can remain as is. Marina Parr, Director Workforce System Advancement

In accordance with RCW 34.05.312 and due to upcoming retirement, please replace Lisa Beach as Clover Park Technical College's rules coordinator with Thomas Oliver, senior executive assistant to the president, phone 253-589-5500, email Thomas.Oliver@cptc.edu . Dr. Joyce Loveday President

Notice of Adoption Policy Statement Title: Licensure by Endorsement — Substantially Equivalent Qualifications. CH-11-17-22.2. Issuing Entity: Chiropractic quality assurance commission (CQAC). Subject Matter: Identifies the states and territories of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or providence of Canada with "substantially equivalent" licensing standards, allowing applicants to apply for licensure via endorsement. Effective Date: July 11, 2024. Contact Person: Betty J.

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0026 Community Health Workers, Community Health Representatives, and Community Health Worker Services. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0026 to add community health workers (CHW) and tribal community health representatives (CHR) as provider types to the medicaid state plan. CHWs and CHRs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have a

Notice of Adoption Policy Statement Title: Telehealth Policy. Issuing Entity: Chiropractic quality assurance commission (commission). Subject Matter: The commission developed this policy statement to address licensing requirements, standards of care, and the role of the commission in evaluating technology and equipment used to facilitate telehealth services. Effective Date: July 11, 2024. Contact Person: Betty J. Moe, chiropractic quality assurance commission, director of policy and operations,

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On July 17, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Brad Thomsen, relating to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 220-440-030 (Public safety cougar removals) . The Governor's Office denied the appeal on August 27, 2024. date : August 27, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for Yakima Valley College is Alma Ramirez, c/o Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 22520, Yakima, WA 98909, phone 509-574-4671, fax 509-574-4638, email aramlrez@yvcc.edu [ aramirez@yvcc.edu ] . Teresa Rich, PhD President

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0046 Add Certified Behavioral Health Support Specialists as Medicaid Providers. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0046 to comply with SB 5189 by adding certified behavioral health support specialists (BHSS) as medicaid providers. BHSS deliver brief, evidence-based interventions that include behavioral health, and must be under the supervision of a state credentiale

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0013 Add Adult Chiropractic Services and Acupuncturists and Certified Behavioral Health Support Specialists as Medicaid Providers. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0013 to add the following to Attachment 3 section 6.d Other Licensed Practitioners in the medicaid state plan: • Add adult chiropractic services as a medicaid service. Currently, only children under age

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0041 Transplant Services Updates. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0041 to update outdated information to align with current practice and industry standards. These updates include: • Clarifying standards for the provision of transplant services. • Amending the types of covered transplants and transplant-related procedures. • Clarifying criteria for coverage of out

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On August 16, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Thomas Myers on behalf of the Personal Care Products Council, relating to the Department of Ecology's denial of a petition to amend or repeal RCW 70A.560.020 (2) (Prohibiting the sale of cosmetic products containing certain added chemicals - Department's duties) . date : August 19, 2024 K

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0044 Community First Choice (CFC) Updates and Waiver (WA.0049, WA.0443, WA.1086) Amendments. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) and the aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA) in the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit SPA 24-0044 to update information for community first choice (CFC) services and submit amendments to the home and community-based serv

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support Document Title: DCS Administrative Policy 1.28: Electronic Signatures on Division of Child Support (DCS) Case-Related Documents. Subject: DCS AP 1.28. Effective Date: August 15, 2024. Document Description: This policy explains when and how DCS a

Interpretive Statement (IS) IS Number: IS-24-01. Issuing Entity: Washington state health care authority (HCA). Subject Matter: Clarifying requirements in WAC 182-531-1600 (9)(b) Bariatric surgery. Effective Date: August 15, 2024. Contact Person: Joan Chappell, nursing consultation advisor, joan.chappell@hca.wa.gov . HCA is filing this IS under the authority of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (RCW 34.05.230 ). This IS clarifies HCA's interpretation of WAC 182-531-1600 (9)(b); specifically,

Notice of School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program Administrative Policy Statement The following is an administrative policy published by the SEBB program. This policy is effective September 1, 2024. You can download the complete policy statement on the SEBB program rules and policies page at hca.wa.gov/sebb-rules . The following policy was amended to support the SEBB program: Policy 45-2: Special open enrollment (SOE). This policy applies whenever a subscriber requests an enrollment chang