Recent Washington regulations affecting small businesses
Page 3 of 9 • Last updated April 21, 2026
121 new Washington regulations affecting small businesses have been published in the past 30 days. These cover compliance updates from state agencies, regional authorities, and licensing boards — flagged here when they change a rule, fee, deadline, or eligibility threshold. Recent activity has clustered in Compliance, alongside cross-cutting administrative changes. Each listing links to the official notice so you can read the full text and respond if it touches your business.
- WSR 26-09-117 EXPEDITED RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 21, 2026
Washington Department of Labor and Industries updates safety standards for sawmills, woodworking operations, charter boats, temporary workers, confined spaces, laboratory chemicals, formaldehyde handling, and scaffolds via expedited rulemaking.
- WSR 26-09-118 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission)April 21, 2026
Washington State Department of Health proposes pharmacy registration exemptions for mobile opioid treatment program units under WAC 246-945-060 and 246-945-250.
- WSR 26-09-131 PROPOSED RULES PIERCE COLLEGEApril 21, 2026
Pierce College proposes rules restricting smoking on college grounds and facilities.
- WSR 26-09-120 PROPOSED RULES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes rule changes to Chapter 392-172A WAC on special education service delivery and Chapters 392-140-600 through 392-140-685 WAC on state special education safety net funding.
- WSR 26-09-122 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington State's Superintendent of Public Instruction seeks public comment on revising the definition of "course of study" in WAC 392-121-107 through a preproposal inquiry.
- WSR 26-09-123 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes updates to physical and emotional support rules, K-3 class size requirements, and basic education employee definitions under WAC 392-122 and 392-127.
- WSR 26-09-124 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes revisions to school district budgeting and accounting rules (WAC 392-123) addressing unsound financial conditions, budget compliance procedures, and interfund loan interest payments.
- WSR 26-09-125 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes rule changes defining enrolled student status and eligibility criteria across technical colleges and institutional education programs through WAC updates.
- WSR 26-09-126 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes amendments to vocational education indirect cost limits, carryover fund usage options, and related levy capacity calculations under WAC 392-121 and 392-132.
- WSR 26-09-127 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 21, 2026
Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction proposes rule changes to WAC 392-121-436, 392-121-438, and 392-121-443 governing emergency advance payments, application procedures, approval criteria, and repayment terms for school districts.
- WSR 26-09-133 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF RETIREMENT SYSTEMSApril 21, 2026
Washington Department of Retirement Systems streamlines its employer information request process to improve member benefit calculations.
- WSR 26-09-129 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (Home and Community Living Administration)April 21, 2026
Washington Department of Social and Health Services proposes amendments to assisted living facility rules in chapter 388-78A WAC to implement memory care services requirements under E2SSB 5337.
- WSR 26-09-130 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICESApril 21, 2026
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services seeks Medicaid 1915(b)(4) waiver renewal to continue its consumer-directed employer program through selective contracting with service providers.
- WSR 26-09-116 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 21, 2026 • Impact: high
Washington Department of Labor and Industries permanent rules implement SSB 5408 and SSB 5501, effective July 27, 2025, strengthening employee protections through updated wage disclosure requirements and restrictions on driver's license employment c…
- WSR 26-09-113 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 21, 2026
Washington Department of Labor and Industries requires construction employers to complete written work plans with risk analysis before beginning excavation, trenching, or shoring work under updated safety standards.