Current Rulemaking Activity

How We Do Rulemaking

From start to finish, we are committed to being transparent and involving the public in the rulemaking process.

• Open rulemaking projects: We are actively working on making changes to an existing rule or creating a new rule. We have formally initiated rulemaking by filing notice with the Washington State Code Reviser’s Office.
• Delayed rulemaking projects: We have initiated rulemaking, but the work is on hold. The Board may suspend its work on a rule due to lack of resources, need for more research, prioritization of other projects, legislative action, ongoing litigation, or other reasons.
• Recently withdrawn rulemaking projects: The Board may end work on a rulemaking project due to lack of resources, need for more research, need to restructure the project, prioritization of other projects, legislative action, ongoing litigation, or other reasons. We keep recently withdrawn rulemaking projects on this webpage for 12 months after the date of withdrawal.
• Recently adopted rules: The Board has voted to approve the rules, the order of adoption is filed with the Code Reviser, and changes are being implemented.
   

Rulemaking Activity

• All Licensees (General Rulemaking Activity)
• Alcohol 
• Cannabis, Vapor, and Tobacco
   

Recently Adopted Rules

• We keep recently adopted rules on this webpage.
   

How to Participate

We offer you many ways to participate in our rulemaking process.

• Attend a regularly scheduled Board meeting. Send us your comments ahead of time or share them during the public comment period.
• Submit written comments during rule comment periods.
• Testify at a public hearing on an open rulemaking project.
• Add your name to our rulemaking email distribution list, and we’ll send you notices about rulemaking activity, meetings, and other information about our work.
   

Phases of the Rulemaking Process

There are typically three phases in agency rulemaking: inquiry, proposal, and adoption. The rule development process may take several months to a couple of years to complete, depending on the Board’s resources, complexity of the issue, availability of data or information to complete any required analyses, and public interest in the rule.

• The Inquiry Phase (CR-101)
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Rule Development, Drafting, and Analysis
     
• The Proposal Phase (CR-102)
  • Public Hearing/Comments
  • Agency Responds to Comments
     
• The Adoption Phase (CR-103)
  • Board Votes to Approve Rules
  • Rules Become Effective
     

Frequently Asked Questions 

Frequently asked rulemaking questions and glossary of commonly used words and phrases.
 

Related Links

• WSLCB Current Laws and Rules
• WSLCB Rule-Making Schedule
• Search the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
• Search the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
• Visit the Washington State Register