List of rulemaking activity

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.

Timeshare licensing fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Timeshares
Completed

Current rule(s)

Timeshare fees (308-127-160 WAC)

We're increasing our fees to cover the costs of running the timeshare program.

Current step

April 27, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held April 25, 2023

Data sharing practices

  • Public records and data privacy
  • Driver licensing
  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Data sharing (Chapter 308-10A WAC)

We're creating new rules around data sharing practices. These will clarify SSB 5152, a law passed during the 2021 legislative session.

Current step

September 7, 2023

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held July 31, 2023

Address requests

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Address requests—Terms and fees (WAC 308-104-150)

We repealed this redundant rule. Records requests go through our public disclosure office.

Current step

December 11, 2024

Rule repealed

Public hearing or comments

If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must submit your objection in writing.

Mail

Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504

Email

rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov

Applying for a driver license or ID card

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Application for a driver's license or identicard (WAC 308-104-014)

We amended this rule to include a “responsible adult” as being eligible to sign on behalf of a minor for a driver license application. This is to comply with a bill passed in the 2024 legislative session (SB 5800).

Current step

December 11, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must send your objections to us in writing.

Mail

Rules Coordinator
Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504

Email

rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov

Business and professional licensing fees (06L Account)

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Auctioneers
    • Bail bonds
    • Camping resorts
    • Combative sports
    • Cosmetologists
    • Court reporters
    • Employment agencies
    • Home inspectors
    • Notaries public
    • Private investigators
    • Security guards
    • Tattoos, piercing, body art
    • Timeshares
Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

  • Notaries public fees for notarial acts (308-30-220)
  • Private investigative agency, private investigator, and armed private investigator fees (WAC 308-17-150)
  • Private security guard company, private security guard, and armed private security guard fees (WAC 308-18-150)
  • Professional and amateur martial arts license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-14-110)
  • Professional boxing license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-12-195)
  • Timeshare fees (WAC 308-127-160)
  • Wrestling license fees, renewals and requirements (WAC 36-13-010)

We're required to set fees for each professional, occupational, or business licensing program. The fees must be enough to balance the costs of running these programs. Current fees for certain programs funded by the 06L account (Business and Professions Account) aren't enough to support them.

Current step

October 24, 2024

Rule change withdrawn

Public hearing or comments

You can participate in this rulemaking activity by emailing us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Real estate appraiser fees and charges

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Appraisers
    • Real estate
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fees and charges (Chapter 308-125-120 WAC)

We're proposing an increase to fees for real estate appraisers. Current fees aren't enough to cover program costs. The law requires us to review program budgets and set fees to cover administration costs. The licensing fees we collect are the only source of funds that cover program costs.

We continue to look into ways to reduce budget gaps while minimizing the impact on our licensees. For example, we replaced travel for board meetings and investigations with virtual options, where possible. This reduces travel costs for rental space, lodging, meals, staffing, mileage and more.

Current step

September 19, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held public hearings for this rulemaking activity on August 28, 2024 and September 18, 2024.

Scrap metal wrecker application and fees

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Scrap metal
Completed

Current rule(s)

We're creating new licensing rules for vehicle wreckers and scrap metal businesses. The rules adopt a $500 catalytic converter inspection fee. These licensees must pay the fee when applying for or renewing their license. The new fee is required by a law passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Current step

June 20, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We're proposing this rule change under an expedited process (RCW 34.05.353). This process eliminates the need for us to hold public hearings. If you object to the use of the expedited process for this rule change, you must object in writing. Email your objection to rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov or mail it to:

Rules Coordinator
Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

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