Recent Washington regulations affecting small businesses
Page 6 of 9 • Last updated April 14, 2026
128 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 26-09-079 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.
- WSR 26-09-067 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFEApril 14, 2026
Department of Fish and Wildlife emergency rule opens hatchery spring Chinook fishing seasons in portions of the Skagit River.
- WSR 26-09-072 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFEApril 14, 2026
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife emergency rule closes salmon seasons in Catch Record Card Area 11.
- WSR 26-09-069 NOTICE OF APPEAL OFFICE OF THE GOVERNORApril 14, 2026
Governor's Office denied William Osmunson's February 10, 2026 appeal challenging the Washington State Board of Health's denial of a petition to amend drinking water materials and additives regulations.
- WSR 26-09-077 RULES COORDINATOR STATE INVESTMENT BOARDApril 14, 2026
Washington State Investment Board designates Isaac Williamson as rules coordinator at 2100 Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-0916.
- WSR 26-09-070 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 14, 2026
Washington Department of Labor and Industries permits single-employer electrical apprenticeship programs to use apprentices holding specialty electrician certificates for qualified work without changing program status under ESHB 1533.
- WSR 26-09-075 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIESApril 14, 2026
Washington Department of Labor and Industries proposes amendments to workers' compensation self-insurance rules governing surety requirements, monitoring, and liability obligations for decertified employer groups and public entities under Chapter 29…
- WSR 26-09-073 WITHDRAWAL OF PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF LICENSINGApril 14, 2026
Washington Department of Licensing withdraws its preproposed rule making to amend chapter 308-20 WAC regarding cosmetology regulations.
- WSR 26-09-078 PERMANENT RULES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONApril 14, 2026
Washington State Department of Transportation formalizes procedures for transferring highway rights-of-way to local agencies under RCW 47.12.080.
- WSR 26-09-074 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONApril 14, 2026
University of Washington proposes amendments to its general code of conduct under Chapter 478-124 WAC to clarify institutional policies and procedures.
- WSR 26-09-076 EXPEDITED RULES WASHINGTON STATE PATROLApril 14, 2026
Washington State Patrol establishes notice procedures in chapter 446-09 WAC for the firearms background check fee authorized under RCW 43.43.580.
- WSR 26-09-071 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY HEALTH CARE AUTHORITYApril 14, 2026
Washington Health Care Authority seeks public comment on proposed rule changes to noncovered healthcare service exceptions and fee-for-service prior authorization determination processes for medical and dental coverage.
- WSR 26-09-068 NOTICE OF APPEAL OFFICE OF THE GOVERNORApril 14, 2026
Governor's Office denied an appeal by Conner Edwards on February 12, 2026, challenging the Washington Public Disclosure Commission's refusal to amend campaign reporting eligibility rules under WAC 390-16-105.
- WSR 26-09-065 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY LIQUOR AND CANNABIS BOARDApril 13, 2026
Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board is considering rule changes to Title 314 WAC to implement 2SHB 1701, which permits liquor licensees to lease licensed premises to other liquor licensees.
- WSR 26-09-059 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREApril 13, 2026 • Impact: none
Department of Agriculture's 2026 quarterly report documents rule-making activities affecting small businesses and agricultural operations subject to state regulatory oversight.