Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: New rule WAC 390-05-222 defining domestic partner for the purposes of chapter 42.17 RCW and TITLE 390 WAC to reflect legislative changes found in chapter 6, Laws of 2008.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.17.370.

     Other Authority: 2SHB 3104, section 1303.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: In adopting 2SHB 3104 (chapter 6, Laws of 2008) the legislature defined domestic partner as part of an individual's "immediate family." The 2008 election season is currently underway and a definition of "domestic partner" is needed immediately for the purposes of chapter 42.17 RCW and TITLE 390 WAC in order to preserve the general welfare and accommodate the timing restrictions in RCW 42.17.370(1).

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: June 26, 2008.

Vicki Rippie

Executive Director

OTS-1715.1

NEW SECTION
WAC 390-05-222   Domestic partner -- Definition.   "Domestic partner" or "domestic partners," as those terms are used in chapter 42.17 RCW and TITLE 390 WAC, means "state registered domestic partners" as defined in RCW 26.60.020(1).

[]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office