WSR 26-09-131
PROPOSED RULES
PIERCE COLLEGE
[Filed April 21, 2026, 2:11 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-05-003.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Smoking.
Hearing Location(s): On May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., via Teams at https://tinyurl.com/3dsjymst.
Date of Intended Adoption: June 10, 2026.
Submit Written Comments to: Danielle Evans, 9401 Farwest Drive S.W., Lakewood, WA 98498, email devans@pierce.ctc.edu, by May 26, 2026.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact access and disability services, phone 253-964-6468, email ads@pierce.ctc.edu, by May 19, 2026.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Pierce College is engaging with the rule-making process to create a smoking policy.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Pierce College is engaging with the rule-making process to establish processes and procedures regarding smoking on campus.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW
28B.50.140(13).
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Public.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Danielle Evans, Pierce College District, 253-912-2290; Enforcement: Vice President for Technology and Infrastructure, Pierce College District, 253-964-6434.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW
34.05.328. The proposed rule will not impose any costs for the institution.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal from Regulatory Fairness Act requirements:
Is not exempt.
The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. The proposed rule will not impose any costs for the institution.
April 21, 2026
Julie A. White
Chancellor and CEO
RDS-7098.1
Chapter 132K-200 WAC
SMOKING POLICY
NEW SECTION
WAC 132K-200-010Purpose.
Pierce College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work and educational environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Pierce College establishes the following no smoking policy, consistent with RCW
70.345.150 (1)(a) and chapter
70.160 RCW (I-901), to protect individuals from exposure to secondhand smoke in their college-associated environments and to protect life and property against fire hazards.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132K-200-020Definitions.
"Smoke" or "smoking" refers to the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment. This policy also includes "smoke related" products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, smokeless tobacco, Zyn pouches, pipes, water pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, vaporizers, and snuff.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132K-200-030General policy.
Except as provided in this section, smoking of all kinds is prohibited in all college facilities including, but not limited to, college owned/leased vehicles, inside all buildings owned, leased, or operated by the college and/or used by the college's faculty, staff, students, or visitors, and at any outside areas or locations including, but not limited to, bus shelters, benches, and walkways on college property.
Smoking may be permitted at specific designated outdoor locations approved by the college in accordance with chapter
70.160 RCW. Signage identifies the designated locations.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132K-200-040Violations.
Violations of this policy by students, employees, or visitors are subject to enforcement by campus safety in accordance with RCW
70.345.150 (1)(a) and
70.160.070. In addition, any student or employee who violates the college's smoking policy may be subject to disciplinary action. After the first offense, students and employees will be subjected to disciplinary action through the student conduct code or human resources.