We may create rules to clarify, apply or enforce Washington state laws. This process is called rulemaking. Rules (or regulations) we create become part of Title 284 Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

We regulate and enforce our rules by reviewing insurance policies and consumer complaints about possible violations of the law. When a person or company doesn't follow the rules, we can issue fines, revoke licenses or charge other penalties.

The rulemaking process helps us:

  • Encourage public participation
  • Explain how we can enforce laws
  • Write accurate, understandable rules

How to participate in the rulemaking process

You can participate in the rulemaking process by:

  • Asking us to amend, adopt or repeal a rule
  • Submitting comments during the rulemaking process
  • Attending a hearing to provide comments or learn more about the rules

We ask for comments when we publish notices of intent (CR-101s) and proposed rules (CR-102s), but you can comment at any time during the rulemaking process. Send comments to the rules coordinator.

At the end of the rulemaking process, we respond to all comments through a Concise Explanatory Statement. Sign up for updates about rulemaking.

Rulemaking steps

To create a new rule, we follow the steps in the Administrative Procedure Act, including:

  1. File a preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101). The CR-101 announces that we plan to write rules and invites the public to participate.
  2. Publish and email notices. We publish the CR-101 and all other CR notices on our legislation and rulemaking page. If you signed up for rulemaking updates, you'll get a notification.
  3. Draft the rule. An agency team drafts the rule and shares it publicly. We hold meetings to discuss the proposed changes and ask the public for comments. This process sometimes takes several months and includes multiple drafts.
  4. File proposed rulemaking notice (CR-102). We share the proposed rule with the public.
  5. Accept public comments. We hold a hearing to get feedback on the rule from the public. Throughout the process, we often change rules based on comments from the public. At the end of the rulemaking process, we respond to all comments through a Concise Explanatory Statement. During this time, we also consider how the rule affects small businesses.
  6. File a rulemaking order to adopt the rule (CR-103). After finalizing the rule, we file a final form with the Code Reviser. Most rules go into effect 31 days after we file them.

Other possible rulemaking actions

Emergency rules. If we need to make important rule changes immediately, we don't need to give public notice or hold hearings. Emergency rules usually last for 120 days. We can sometimes extend them, but they can't become permanent unless we follow the regular rulemaking steps above.

Expedited rulemaking. This shortened process allows the OIC - in very limited circumstances - to adopt or repeal a rule without a public hearing or comment process. If anyone disagrees with us using the expedited process, we need to follow the regular rulemaking steps. If no one objects during this period, however, the OIC may adopt the rule by issuing a CR-103 rulemaking order. We mainly use this process to fix errors with a rule's text, update or correct references to other laws or rules, or make changes based on federal or state laws and rules.

Rulemaking petition. You can ask us to adopt, change, or repeal a rule by sending a letter or filling out our petition form. Send petitions to our rules coordinator. We have 60 days to accept or reject your petition. If we accept it, we'll start the regular rulemaking steps.

Who to contact with comments, suggestions or questions

Policy and Legislative Affairs
PO Box 40260
Olympia, WA 98504-0258

Send a message to our rules coordinator
Call our policy and legislative affairs team at 360-725-7171
Fax to 360-586-3109