Significant Legislative Rule Making

Significant legislative rules—Per RCW 34.05.328, is a type of rule which:

• Adopts substantive provisions of law, the violation of which subjects a violator of such rule to a penalty or sanction.
• Establishes or changes any qualification for a license or permit.
• Results in a significant change to a policy or regulatory program.

Significant legislative rule-making requirements include that agencies determine the costs and benefits of a new rule, determine least burdensome alternatives, coordinate regulations with the requirements of state and federal law, and develop an implementation, evaluation and education plan.

Significant legislative rules reports

RCW 34.05.328(6) requires ORIA to report by Jan. 31 of each even-numbered year on significant legislative rule implementation by agencies required to comply. To prepare reports, ORIA gathered information from agencies and solicited comments from business, environmental and labor organizations as well as from the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Counties.

Recent reports:

• 2022 report (reporting years 2020-21)
• 2020 report (reporting years 2018-19)
• 2018 report (reporting years 2016-17)
• 2016 report (reporting years 2014-15)
• 2014 report (reporting years 2012-13)

Participating regulatory agencies

State agencies required to report on significant legislative rules are:

• Department of Ecology
• Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Department of Health
• Department of Labor and Industries
• Department of Natural Resources
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Social and Health Services
• Employment Security Department
• Forest Practices Board
• Office of the Insurance Commissioner
• State Board of Health
• State Building Code Council