Recent Washington regulations affecting small businesses
Page 5 of 9 • Last updated April 17, 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 26-09-091 EMERGENCY RULES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 17, 2026
Washington State emergency rules authorize full-time enrollment funding for students in state-board-identified competency-based education programs as mandated by SB 5189 (2025).
- WSR 26-09-090 EMERGENCY RULES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 17, 2026
Washington State emergency rules expand Running Start program access under 2SHB 1316 and E2SSB 5670, extend state funding for special education students aging out at 21 under SSB 5253, and clarify funding eligibility and administration for participa…
- WSR 26-09-089 EMERGENCY RULES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONApril 17, 2026
Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction emergency rule eliminates college-in-the-high-school fees for students, aligning with 2023 legislation.
- WSR 26-09-093 EXPEDITED RULES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONApril 17, 2026
Washington Parks and Recreation Commission updates WAC 352-04-010 regarding chairperson duties and meeting conduct through expedited rulemaking.
- WSR 26-09-098 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGEApril 17, 2026
Lower Columbia College board of trustees meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in Heritage Room 100 or via Zoom.
- WSR 26-09-099 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (Environmental Justice Council)April 17, 2026
Washington Department of Health Environmental Justice Council announces its 2026 public meeting schedule for stakeholder participation and regulatory input.
- WSR 26-09-087 HEALTH CARE AUTHORITYApril 16, 2026
Washington Health Care Authority removes outdated reference 4.19-E from Medicaid State Plan Amendment 26-0010 to streamline provider billing and eligibility documentation requirements.
- WSR 26-09-088 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY (Health Care Cost Transparency Board)April 16, 2026
Washington State Health Care Authority schedules Health Care Cost Transparency Board nominating committee meetings throughout 2026.
- WSR 26-09-086 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING COMMISSIONApril 15, 2026
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission proposes updating WAC 139-01-310 to define "initial disciplinary decision" in its rules.
- WSR 26-09-082 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFEApril 15, 2026
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife emergency rule reduces the get outdoors license fee for eligible residents under authorization from SSB 5583 passed in the 2025 legislative session.
- WSR 26-09-085 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 15, 2026 • Impact: high
Washington Department of Labor and Industries updates agricultural safety standards in chapter 296-307 WAC to align with EPA's December 3, 2024 pesticide application rules, including changes to application exclusion zones and enclosed-space spraying…
- WSR 26-09-081 PROPOSED RULES WASHINGTON STATE PATROLApril 15, 2026
Washington State Patrol proposes rule changes regarding vehicle and traffic safety standards under preproposal inquiry WSR 26-04-089.
- WSR 26-09-083 PERMANENT RULES OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONERApril 15, 2026
Washington state's Insurance Commissioner establishes permanent rate development requirements for health carriers offering qualified health plans through the state exchange, effective for plan years beginning in 2027.
- WSR 26-09-084 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFEApril 15, 2026
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife emergency rule expands recreational spring Chinook retention opportunities in the lower Columbia River.
- WSR 26-09-079 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIESApril 14, 2026
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families updates child protective services rules to clarify abuse and neglect reporting procedures and align with current departmental practice.