Rulemaking Overview

Ways to Engage with Us
Make a Difference. Let Your Voice Be Heard!

  • Public Comments – Stakeholders can express their opinions, concerns, or suggestions on the proposed rules during the public comment process. There are formal and informal ways for you to comment on a proposed rule. When giving input, please provide clear and specific feedback, citing relevant sections of the legislation and proposing alternative solutions or improvements where appropriate. Public hearings provide an opportunity for the public to provide formal comments and oral testimony on proposed agency actions. Any organization or person can attend a hearing, either to speak to a submission or to observe. Submit a written comment during the open comment period by email at rules@lcb.wa.gov, by fax at (360) 704-5027, or by mail:

Rules Coordinator
Liquor and Cannabis Board                                                                                 
P.O. Box 43080                                                                                            
Olympia, WA 98504-3080

Contact our team for questions about providing public comment on a specific rulemaking topic.

  • Participate in a Board Meeting – Board meetings also provide an opportunity for you to address the Board members, either during a scheduled Public Hearing or at the conclusion of each Board meeting during General Public Comments. Find out more information here.
  • Stakeholder Outreach – We encourage collaboration and engagement with stakeholders throughout the rulemaking process. This can involve meetings, workshops, or workgroups to address specific aspects of regulations and seek consensus among various parties. Stakeholder sessions serve as a platform for in-depth exchanges of ideas and perspectives. You can find upcoming and previous stakeholder engagement meetings and other collaborative sessions here.
  • Petition for Rulemaking – You may petition a state agency to adopt, repeal, or amend a rule within its authority. We have 60 days to take one of the following actions in response to the petition: deny the request and explain our reasons; describe alternative steps we will take; or initiate rulemaking. If we deny your petition, you may appeal our decision to the Governor. Find out more about rulemaking petitions here.
  • Policy Suggestion  – The LCB is dedicated to engaging with stakeholders, licensees, permit holders, consumers, industry partners, and interested members of the public. Please send your suggestions and ideas for policy development concepts that you would like the LCB to consider. 


Rulemaking Activity

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.


Understand the Rulemaking Process


How do we decide to do rulemaking? 

We may decide to start rulemaking based on changes in federal or state law, when we learn of changes in technology or the environment, or when we receive requests from our partners or the public. The rulemaking process is used to create, change, or delete a rule. It must follow specific laws.

What governs our rulemaking?

The Washington State Legislature grants us the authority to adopt rules, and the process for adopting rules is governed by the following state laws:

  • The Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW) requires us to engage the public in rule development and outlines the process we must follow.
  • The Regulatory Fairness Act (chapter 19.85 RCW) requires us to consider the impact of our rules on small businesses.

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


Resources and Related Links