List of rulemaking activity

Public records disclosure and fees

  • Public records and data privacy
Completed

Current rule(s)

Public records disclosure (Chapter 308-10 WAC); Disclosure of names and addresses of individual vessel owners (Chapter 308-93-087 WAC)

We're updating rules based on the requirements of the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW. These rules give full access to public records about government conduct while respecting individuals' privacy rights. A 2017 update to RCW 42.56.120 clarified and expanded what agencies may charge for creating copies of records. We're adopting those 2017 changes as rules and updating the rules to match our current processes.

Current step

April 6, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held February 21, 2023

Military spouse coordinators

  • All business and professional licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Military service members or spouses — Definitions (WAC 308-09-010); Converting a military spouse's active license to an inactive license (WAC 308-09-025); Licensee with active licenses who enter the military (WAC 308-09-040); and Maintaining a military status license (WAC 308-09-045)

We defined military spouse coordinators under the requirements of 2SHB 1009, a law passed during the 2023 legislative session.

Current step

November 3, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on October 30, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

Certifying signatures for vehicle and boat registration

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Certification of signature (WAC 308-56A-275); Certification of signatures (WAC 308-93-470)

We're clarified the process to certify signatures for vehicle and boat registration. We also removed outdated references to operator numbers so you can more easily comply with the rules.

Current step

November 20, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held on November 8, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Reimbursements for abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs)

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Abandoned recreational vehicle - Rates and caps (WAC 308-61-215)

We're updating the abandoned recreational vehicle (RV) standardized reimbursement schedule. These changes will increase the reimbursement rates and caps.

Current step

October 3, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on September 28, 2023

Names and addresses of vehicle owners

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Ownership in doubt - Bonded title or three-year registration without title (WAC 308-56A-210)

We're removing the requirement for us to provide the names and addresses of current vehicle owners of record.

Current step

November 22, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held on November 15, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Specialty license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Special license plates - Criteria for creation or continued issuance (WAC 308-96A-560)

We clarified specialty plate design guidelines by requiring new designs to show the jurisdiction at the top of the plate.

Current step

October 20, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on October 11, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Tax exemptions for clean alternative fuel vehicles

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Retail sales and use tax exemption criteria for clean alternative fuel vehicles (WAC 308-04-030); Certificates of title - Motor vehicles, etc. (Chapter 308-56A WAC)

We moved the tax exemption rules for clean alternative fuel vehicles into the rules for motor vehicle titles.

Current step

October 23, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on October 19, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

Vehicle reports of sale

  • Vehicle and boat registration
  • All business and professional licensing
    • Vehicle and boat dealers
Completed

Current rule(s)

Vehicle seller's report of sale (WAC 308-56A-525)

We're proposing to allow vehicle dealers to file reports of sale on behalf of customers who sell, trade in, or otherwise transfer ownership to the dealer.

Current step

January 3, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held on December 27, 2023.

Temporary license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Department temporary permit (WAC 308-56A-140); Delivery of vehicle on dealer temporary permit (WAC 308-56A-420); Obtaining dealer temporary permits (WAC 308-56A-425)

We're clarifying the requirements and procedures for issuing temporary license plates.

Current step

July 19, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held June 27, 2023
Virtual hearing

Market value threshold for destroyed or wrecked vehicles

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Destroyed or wrecked vehicle—Reporting—Rebuilt (WAC 308-56A-460)

We plan to update the market value threshold for destroyed and wrecked vehicles. This is required by law.

Current step

January 4, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held September 9, 2022

Was this information helpful?

Learn more about rulemaking

Learn how we make rules

Find out how we create and change rules related to licensing.

Understand the terms we use

Read our rulemaking definitions for the terms we use when working on rules.

See our semiannual rulemaking agenda

Our semiannual rulemaking agenda is the current list of rule changes that we're considering. We update it twice a year.

Comment on a rule

Email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov to comment on a rule.

Request information in an alternative format

If you need audio files of public hearings in a different format, please email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Get email updates

Subscribe to email updates to get the latest rulemaking news in your inbox: