WSR 25-13-106

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed June 18, 2025, 8:50 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 308-124A-775 Real estate fees.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule making is increasing the current fee assessed on original and renewal real estate broker and managing broker licenses from $10 to $20 to fund the real estate research center per HB 1552, passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: HB 1552, passed during the 2025 legislative session, increased the current fees assessed on real estate broker and managing broker licenses, and the department of licensing's (DOL) proposed rule making will reflect those changes in the WAC concerning real estate fees.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.85.041 Director—General powers and duties, 18.85.061 License fees—Real estate commission account, 18.85.101 Broker's license—Requirements—Renewal, 18.85.111 Managing broker's license—Requirements—Renewal, 18.85.191 License fees—Expiration—Renewal—Identification cards—Background checks, 18.85.451 Fee assessed, 18.85.461 Washington real estate research account—Creation, and 43.24.086 Fee policy for professions, occupations, and businesses—Determination by rule.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.85.451 Fee assessed; and HB 1552, passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: DOL, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Kelsey Stone, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, 360-902-0131; Implementation: Deb Allen-Ba, 405 Black Lake Boulevard S.W., Olympia, WA 98502, 360-664-1399; and Enforcement: Sarah Gretza, 405 Black Lake Boulevard S.W., Olympia, WA 98502, 564-233-4313.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Adopts or incorporates by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule.

Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: This rule change increases the fee that is currently assessed on real estate broker and managing broker licenses. This fee rate is currently set by the Washington state legislature in statute and was increased by passage of HB 1552 during the legislative session. DOL's proposed rule making simply reflects the changes already made in law.

NOTICE

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Ellis Starrett, DOL, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-902-3846, email rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov, BEGINNING June 18, 2025, AND RECEIVED BY August 19, 2025.

June 18, 2025

Ellis Starrett

Rules and Policy Manager

RDS-6454.1