WSR 26-09-147

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed April 22, 2026, 10:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 308-30 WAC, Notaries public.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.45.250 Rules, and HB [SHB] 2158 passed during the 2026 legislative session.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To implement HB [SHB] 2158, the department of licensing must adopt rule changes to allow for new electronic records notary public provisions, as well as prescribe methods for confirming tangible record identities, and clarify the creation of duplicative originals.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ellis Starrett, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-902-3846, email rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov, website dol.wa.gov/about/rulemaking.

April 22, 2026

Kelsey Stone

Legislative Policy Analyst