Subject of Possible Rule Making: Office of radiation protection program fees. The department of health (department) is considering amending fees in chapter 246-254 WAC, Radiation protection fees, to cover operating costs. This may include updating or restructuring existing fees, making editorial updates, repealing obsolete fees, or creating new fees.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending fees for all programs within the office of radiation protection to ensure program costs are adequately covered. The department has completed an initial assessment and determined the current fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the operating costs over the biennium. This is necessary to address existing program deficits, reductions in funding from general fund state and foundational public health services accounts, and cost-of-living adjustments made in the 2025-2027 state budget (ESSB 5167). RCW 43.70.110 and 43.70.250 authorize 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.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Zehra Siddiqui, P.O. Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7820, phone 360-236-3010, TTY 711, email zehra.siddiqui@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov; or Jeanna Sieving, P.O. Box 47820, Olympia, WA 98504-7820, TTY 711, email jeanna.sieving@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The department will use a collaborative rule-making approach by keeping interested parties informed of the rule development through email and posting information on the department's rule-making websites. Interested parties will have the opportunity to provide comments throughout the rule-making process and at the public hearing. Please contact Zehra Siddiqui at zehra.siddiqui@doh.wa.gov to be added to the applicable interested parties list.