Interpretive and Policy Statements

RCW 34.05.230 provides a framework for interpretive and policy statements, and provides a way for a person to request the conversion of an interpretive or policy statement into rule.

Interpretive Statements are intended to convey general guidance to assist interested parties by indicating the Board’s current analysis and conclusion(s) on issues that are neither case, nor fact-specific, and that may come before the Board at a time in the future.

An Interpretive Statement does not have the force and effect of law. It is merely an explanatory document intended to convey the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s interpretation of the law and regulation as it existed at the time the statement was issued.

Policy Statements are agency-level documents declaring the plans or intentions of an agency. Policy statements are different from Board Interim Policies.

Note: Policies are different from procedures and standard operating procedures because they apply to an entire organization and are primarily intended to set direction. In contrast, procedures typically include specific instructions used to accomplish defined tasks that may be described in a policy.

Interpretive Statements do not have the force and effect of law. They are explanatory documents intended to convey the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s interpretation of law and regulation as it existed at the time the statement is issued. Current interpretive statements are advisory only.

Agencies are encouraged to advise the public of its current opinions, approaches, and likely courses of action by means of interpretive statements as described in RCW 34.05.230. Whenever an agency issues an interpretive or policy statement, it must submit a statement to the Washington State Code Reviser that describes the subject matter of the interpretive statement and includes the name of the person from whom a copy of the interpretive statement can be obtained. WSLCB has the discretion to amend, rescind or convert an interpretive statement.

Interested in asking that the agency convert an interpretive statement into rule? Please submit a petition to request conversion to rules@lcb.wa.gov. Upon submission, the LCB will contact the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee  (JAARC) that the petition has been received. Within sixty days, LCB will make a decision about whether or not to initiate rule-making. If you do not agree with LCB’s decision, you may contact JAARC directly for next steps.

Don’t agree with an LCB interpretive statement? You can petition JAARC directly and ask for review consistent with the requirements of RCW 34.05.655.

Policy Statements are agency-level documents declaring plans or intentions of an agency. Policies are different from procedures, standard operating procedures, or guidance because they apply to the entire organization and are primarily intended to set direction. In contrast, procedures or guidelines typically include specific instructions used to accomplish defined tasks that may be described in a policy. 

Agencies are encouraged to advise the public of its current opinions, approaches, and likely courses of action by means of policy statements as described in RCW 34.05.230. Whenever an agency issues an interpretive or policy statement, it must submit a statement to the Washington State Code Reviser that describes the subject matter of the interpretive statement and includes the name of the person from whom a copy of the interpretive statement can be obtained. WSLCB has the discretion to amend, rescind or convert an interpretive statement.

Interested in asking that the agency convert a policy statement into rule? Please submit a petition to request conversion to InterpretiveStatement@lcb.wa.gov. Upon submission, LCB will contact the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee that the petition has been received. Within 60 days, LCB will make a decision about whether or not to initiate rulemaking. If you do not agree with LCB’s decision, you may contact JAARC directly for next steps.

Don’t agree with a LCB policy statement? You can petition Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee directly and ask for review consistent with the requirements of RCW 34.05.655.

Policy statements are different from Board Interim Policies.