Temporary Worker Housing Facilities Fees Rule Revision

Affected and Interested Parties

Owners and employees of businesses that operate a temporary worker housing facility and other interested parties.

What’s Happening?

The Department of Health (department) is considering fees in WAC 246-358-990 that cover the costs of administering a license and enforcing the program. The department will consider updating or restructuring existing fees and creating new fees. On January 23, 2024, we filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF) to start rulemaking.

Why?

The department conducted an initial assessment of the program and determined the current fee is not generating sufficient revenue to cover the program’s costs. RCW 43.70.335 and RCW 43.70.340 require temporary worker housing owners and operators to have an annual operating license and pay a fee. The department is required to charge a fee for each operating license issued to owners or operators of temporary worker housing facilities regulated by the department. The fees must cover the cost of administering a license and enforcing the program. 

Rulemaking Timeline 

January 2024 - Start rulemaking

April 2024 – Informal comment period

June 2024 – Formal comment period and public hearing

July 2024 – Rulemaking complete

Rulemaking Resources

Documents What's This Date Filed

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF)
CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF) Spanish 

Announces intent of rulemaking January 23, 2024

How to Get Involved 

The department will use a collaborative rule-making approach. The department will keep interested parties informed of the rule development through email and regularly post information on this page. The department will also post draft rules on this page when the draft rules are ready.

For More Information 

Peter Beaton, Rules Coordinator
Juan Gamez Briceno, Program Manager