Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2025. Purpose: The developmental disabilities administration (DDA) amended sections in chapter 388-828 WAC (the supports intensity scale (SIS-A) portions of the DDA assessment) to align with updates the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has made to its SIS-A assessment tool, second edition. This alignment with AAIDD's second edition does not impact the algorithm. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 38

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Purpose of the proposal and its anticipated effects, including any changes in existing rules: (1) Amending WAC 263-12-01501(1) to clarify that written communications can only be filed at the board of industrial insurance appeals' (board) Olympia office. We no longer accept mail at the board field offices. Also amending WAC 263-12-01501(6) to ensure written communication filed at the board shall not include personal identifiers as des

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Licensed optometrist continuing education (CE) and reducing barriers to licensure. To implement and comply with section 8 of 2SHB 1724 (chapter 425, Laws of 2023), codified as RCW 18.130.077 , and to reduce barriers for entering into and remaining in the health care workforce, the board of optometry (board) is adopting an amendment to WAC 246-851-490 that removes the jurisprudence (JP) examination requirement from initial licensure.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Changing the scope of practice for optometrists. The board of optometry (board) is adopting new WAC 246-851-515 and amendments to WAC 246-851-400, 246-851-410, and 246-851-570 through 246-851-600. The adopted rules are in response to the statutory changes created by SSB 5389 (chapter 400, Laws of 2023), codified in RCW 18.54.010 . The bill expands optometrist scope of practice to include advanced procedures an optometrist may perform

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Implementation of the physician assistant collaborative practice. The Washington medical commission (commission) has adopted amendments to chapter 246-918 WAC to implement ESHB 2041 (chapter 62, Laws of 2024), which aims to establish clear guidelines and requirements for the collaboration between physician assistants (PAs) and supervising physicians. The commission has also adopted amendments that clarify and update terms. From March

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Removing references to osteopathic physician assistants. The Washington medical commission (commission) has adopted amendments to WAC 246-918-895 and 246-919-945 to align rule language with currently accepted language. In 2020, the legislature passed SHB 2378 concerning physician assistants. This bill eliminated the profession of osteopathic physician assistant and placed all physician assistants under the authority of the commission

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is adopting amendments to chapter 173-201A WAC, Water quality standards for surface waters of the state of Washington. We are adopting revisions to natural conditions provisions in our surface water quality standards to provide water quality protection for aquatic life organisms and to establish possible methods for deriving those protective values. The state's water quality standa

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This proposed rule will help the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) better manage its wildlife areas and the public use that is occurring on them. It will give WDFW law enforcement remedies to discourage the construction, creation, and maintenance of roads, trails, and structures without WDFW approval, which can otherwise pose a threat to natural or cultural resources and create safety hazards for public users. Citatio

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended this rule to provide more general language due to frequent changes of percentages and dollar amounts. Added psychiatric per diem rate information and psychiatric unit-specific budget target adjuster. The agency will only do cost-based rates once per year; an average is applied if contracting period is between fiscal years. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-550-3800.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) amended this rule to add language about data sharing between the prescription drug affordability board and the health care cost transparency board to align with language in RCW 70.390.050 (revised under ESHB 1508, section 2 (2)(a), chapter 80, Laws of 2024). Additionally, the agency added a new section regarding a time frame of 30 days for public comment prior to the board setting an upper payment l

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (agency) reorganized rules related to enrollment and payment into proper sections, adding clarity, and removing the reconsideration process. WAC 182-502-0005 was revised to allow for back dating on the provider enrollment application and the nonbilling provider language was moved into this section from WAC 182-502-0006. WAC 182-502-0006 was repealed and incorporated into the other sections. WAC 182-502-0010

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to update Title 314 WAC to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral language. This rule making was initiated in response to a petition for rule making previously accepted by the liquor and cannabis board requesting these changes. The changes aim to promote a regulatory framework that is inclusive, equitable, clear, and accessible. Additionally, written numbers were replaced with the nume

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending these rules to incorporate 2024 legislation, HB 2375. This legislation expanded the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities exemption and deferral under chapters 84.36 and 84.38 RCW, respectively, and the limited income deferral under chapter 84.37 RCW, by modifying the definition of "residence" to include an accessory dwelling unit. Citation of Rules Affected b

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending the expiration date for the exemption for certain agricultural crop protection products in RCW 82.21.040 (5)(a), as required per HB 2454 (2024). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-252 Hazardous substance tax. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.01.060 , 82.32.300 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-137 on August 21, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Order t

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending WAC 458-02-200 Business licensing service — Applications, licenses, renewals — Fees, to replace the term "city's license endorsement" with "local government's business license endorsement" to reflect the changes from SB 5897, chapter 270, Laws of 2024, as codified under RCW 19.02.075 (1)(b)(ii). Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-02-200 Business licensing service — Applica

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue intends to amend WAC 458-57-135 to recognize 2024 legislation (HB 1867), which eliminates the estate tax filing requirement for certain estates involving a qualifying familial residence. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-57-135. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.32.300 , 82.01.060 (2). Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-18-045 on August 27, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted i

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is amending WAC 458-19-070 and 458-19-075 to incorporate 2024 legislation, SHB 2348. This legislation created a stand-alone hospital levy in addition to the county's general levy. The stand-alone hospital levy only applies to counties with a population greater than 2,000,000. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-19-070 Five dollars and ninety cents statutory aggregate dollar rate limit

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The early learning division (ELD) is revising the infant enhancement rate and nonstandard hours bonus rate to align with requirements in ESSB 5950. These WAC revisions are necessary to comply with the July 1, 2024, legislative requirements. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-15-0215 and 110-15-0249. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 34.05 RCW; RCW 43.216.020 , 43.216.065 ; ESSB 5950. Adopted under noti

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending WAC 136-60-040 and 136-60-050 to make changes to the standards of good practice. Creating WAC 136-60-070 to make changes to the standards of good practice. Amending WAC 136-161-040 to make changes to the rural arterial program. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 136-60-070; and amending WAC 136-60-040, 136-50-050, and 136-161-040. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 36.78.070 . Adopted under notice filed as

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue (department) is amending WAC 458-16-560 to incorporate changes enacted pursuant to SSB 5386 (2023) and SHB 2012 (2024). Specifically, the department is updating subsections (4)(iii)-(iv) to update statutory citations and adding a new subsection (4)(vi) to the rule. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: WAC 458-16-560 Housing for qualifying households. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 82.01.060 , 82.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of revenue is implementing HB 2044 (2024) by removing now obsolete requirements which addressed the supplanting of existing funds. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-19-045 Removal of limit (lid lift). Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 84.08.010 , 84.08.070 , 84.55.060 . Other Authority: RCW 84.55.050 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-138 on August 21, 2024. Number of Sections Adopte

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of social and health services is adopting amendments to WAC 388-492-0070 How are my WASHCAP food benefits calculated? These amendments maintain alignment between Washington combined application project (WASHCAP) rules and federal requirements. As a means of maintaining cost neutrality, the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service periodically adjusts WASHCAP program standards. Citation of Ru

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The office of superintendent of public instruction is adopting rule making to extend the apportionment advance request and payout periods for school districts and charter schools, and to establish requirements for repayment assurance and apportionment advance repayment schedules for funds received. As a result of enrollment declines, expiring access to federal COVID[-19] relief, unanticipated rise in uncontrollable costs, and other u

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The office of superintendent of public instruction is adopting rule making to reflect changes under HB 2739 (2020) in order to align shared leave provisions for school district and educational service district employees with those for state employees. Additionally, rule changes to the employee attendance incentive program for school district and educational service district employees will be adopted to ensure consistency with those f

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: In alignment with ESSB 5293, passed by the Washington state legislature in 2023, the office of superintendent of public instruction is adopting rule making to implement an exemption for school districts and charter schools for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 budget periods from accepting binding conditions when the proceeds of an interfund loan have been used to balance deficit fund balances. The rules would allow this exemption in order

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: These changes are being made to make the student conduct process more understandable for students, provide greater support to students who are experiencing discrimination, and comply with updated regulations issued by the United States Department of Education. Provisions regarding complaints of discrimination and Title IX violations by students (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking) are re

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: To comply with new Title IX regulations that are effective August 1, 2024, Eastern Washington University (EWU) has designed an updated process for receiving and responding to concerns about students engaging in discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual violence, or interpersonal violence (chapter 172-125 WAC). EWU's previous procedures were contained in chapter 172-121 WAC, Student conduct code. To make the regulation more ac

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-695 WAC, Rules relating to ginseng management, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-695-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.17.030 (1), 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-108 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Order

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-675 WAC, Calibration services, special inspection and testing fees, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-675-055. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.94.010 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-107 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-663 WAC, Service agents — Reporting, test procedures, standards and calibration of weighing and measuring devices, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-663-140, 16-663-150, and 16-663-170. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.94.010 , 43.01.160 . Adopted

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-319 WAC, Forest tree seed certification, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-319-030, 16-319-051, and 16-319-101. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.49.005 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-102 on August 19, 2024. Number of Section

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-674 WAC, Weights and measures — Exemptions, weighmasters and device registration, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-674-030 and 16-674-055. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.94.010 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-106 on August

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-237 WAC, Commodity storage warehouses and grain dealers, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-237-170. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 22.09.020 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-098 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-324 WAC, Certification of seed potatoes, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-324-361 and 16-324-385. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.14.015 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-104 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-236 WAC, SEPA procedures, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-236-050, 16-236-060, and 16-236-100. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.21C.120 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-099 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in O

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-306 WAC, Hemp program, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-306-130. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.140.030 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-105 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Sta

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-256 WAC, Commercial feed rules — Processed animal waste, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-256-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.53.9012 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-101 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted i

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-229 WAC, Secondary and operational area containment for bulk pesticides, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-229-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 17.21.030 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-096 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sec

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-74 WAC, Livestock testing — Duties of owners, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 16-74-005 and 16-74-010 [16-74-020]. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 16.36.040 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-087 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-168 WAC, Approved independent sanitation consultants for food storage warehouses, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-168-060. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.130.120 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-095 on August 19, 2024. Num

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-167 WAC, Intrastate commerce in foods, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-167-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.130.120 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-094 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-157 WAC, Organic food standards and certification, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-157-030. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.86.020 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-093 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Order

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-233 WAC, Worker protection standard, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-233-021 and 16-233-031. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.58.040 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-097 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Orde

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-125 WAC, Farm milk storage tanks and bulk milk tanker — Requirements, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-125-010, 16-125-030, 16-125-120, and 16-125-210. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.36.020 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-108 WAC, Washington state egg seals and assessments, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-108-050. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 69.25.030 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-091 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Ord

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-104 WAC, Shell eggs — Standards, grades, and weight classes, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-104-200. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 69.25.030 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-090 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopte

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule-making order amends chapter 16-103 WAC, Milk processing assessments and collections, by clarifying current rule language by replacing all gender-specific pronouns with modern gender-inclusive pronouns. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 16-103-003. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.36.550 , 43.01.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-17-089 on August 19, 2024. Number of Sections Adopted in Or