What’s Happening?
The department is considering amending fees in chapter 246-254 WAC, Radiation protection fees, to cover the costs of the programs and account for the General Fund State (GFS) and foundational public health services (FPHS) funding reductions, salary adjustments, and the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) made in the 2025-2027 state budget (ESSB 5167).
RCW 43.70.250 authorizes the Secretary of Health to establish various fees associated with licensing and regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license.
In the 2025-2027 state budget, the department is experiencing COLA increases, Class and Compensation increases, GFS reductions, and fund balance deficits.
The department has completed a financial assessment of the Office of Radiation Protection programs and determined the current fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the cost of the programs over the biennium.
Due to these reasons, the programs and fee sections considering fee adjustment are:
- WAC 246-254-020 Payment of Fees
- WAC 246-254-053 X-Ray
- WAC 246-254-070, -080, -090, -100, -120 Radioactive Materials
- WAC 246-254-130, -140, -150 Radioactive Waste
The department may also consider making editorial updates to align with Code Reviser’s Bill Drafting Guide.
Why?
RCW 43.70.250 authorizes the Secretary of Health to establish various fees associated with licensing and regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license. The department’s initial assessment of the Office of Radiation Protection programs determined the current fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the cost of the programs over the biennium.
Get Involved
Informal Public Comment Period
Deadline: July 25, 2025
The department wants your feedback on draft updates to the proposed fee updates for all programs within the Office of Radiation Protection.
This is your chance to suggest changes, ask questions, or share your ideas. Your feedback will help shape the rule before it’s opened for formal public comment. The informal comment period ends on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Informational Session Available
On July 15, 2025, the Washington State Department of Health (department) held an informational session to provide high-level information about the fee rulemaking. The informational session provided high-level information about the proposed fee adjustments as well as an overview of the rulemaking process and anticipated timelines.
If you were unable to attend the informational session, a recording is now available to view here.
Provide Feedback on Draft Changes
Written comments are accepted through July 20, 2025, using the following options.
- Email: Zehra Siddiqui
- Mail: Department of Health, PO Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7990
To provide your edits using Track Changes in Word, open one or more of the following WACs:
- Office of Radiation Fee Economic Impact Analysis Report (Word)
- WAC 246-254-020 Payment of Fees (Word)
- WAC 246-254-053 X-Ray (Word)
- WAC 246-254-070, -080, -090, -100, -120 Radioactive Materials (Word)
- WAC 246-254-130, -140, -150 Radioactive Waste (Word)
And follow these steps:
- Go to the “Review” tab.
- Select “Track Changes” from the drop-down arrow in the “Tracking” section.
- Make your edits and watch them appear as colored text.
- When finished, save the document(s) as [Last Name, First Name] WAC 246-XXX-XXX_Draft
- Email the draft(s) to zehra.siddiqui@doh.wa.gov by the July 25 deadline.
Tentative Rulemaking Timeline
- July 2025 – Start rulemaking
- July 2025 – Informal comment period
- September and October 2025 – Formal comment period and public hearing
- November 2025 – Rulemaking complete
Rulemaking Files
| Document | What's This? | Date Filed |
|---|---|---|
| CR-101 – Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF) | Announces intent of rulemaking. | July 7, 2025 |
| Office of Radiation Fee Economic Impact Analysis Report (Word) | Explanation of fee adjustments. | |
| WAC 246-254-020 Payment of Fees (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 20, 2025. | |
| WAC 246-254-053 X-Ray (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 20, 2025. | |
| WAC 246-254-070, -080, -090, -100, -120 Radioactive Materials (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 20, 2025. | |
| WAC 246-254-130, -140, -150 Radioactive Waste (Word) | Draft changes for informal public comment. Comments due by July 20, 2025. | |
| EPH Fees Rulemaking Informational Session (PDF) Recording of EPH Fees Rulemaking Informational Session |
Fee Rulemaking Information Session - July 15, 2025 |
Contacts
Zehra Siddiqui, Rules Coordinator
Jeanna Sieving, Fee Manager