WSR 26-13-068
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed June 15, 2026, 9:22 a.m., effective July 16, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Commercial shellfish fees. The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to the fees in WAC 246-282-990 to align with the 2026 supplemental operating budget, ESSB 5998 (chapter 268, Laws of 2026), that establishes limits on commercial shellfish fees for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-282-990.
Other Authority: 2026 Supplemental operating budget, ESSB 5998 (chapter 268, Laws of 2026).
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-09-108 on April 20, 2026.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: A correction was made to the fee for a wholesale only operation under subsection (1)(a) for 2026. The fee amount of $1,280 was changed to $1,198 to align with the supplemental operating budget.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 12, 2026.
Kristin Peterson, JD
Chief of Policy
for Dennis E. Worsham
Secretary of Health
RDS-7104.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 26-01-159, filed 12/19/25, effective 2/1/26)
WAC 246-282-990Fees.
(1) The department shall collect the following fees:
(a) Annual shellfish operation license:
Operation | Acres | Harvest Sites | Fee effective until June 30, 2026 | Fee effective starting July 1, 2026 |
Harvester | | 2 or less | (($876)) $263 | (($1,489)) $518 |
| 3 or more | (($916)) $523 | (($1,569))$1,046 |
Shellstock Shipper | 0-49 Acres | 2 or less | (($1,954)) $297 | (($3,611))$1,191 |
0-49 Acres | 3 or more | (($2,100))$1,280 | (($3,902))$2,561 |
50 or greater Acres | | (($2,188))$1,280 | (($3,900))$2,560 |
Wholesale Only | Wholesale Only | (($1,955))$1,198 | (($3,613))$2,396 |
Wholesale Only DNR Tracts | Wholesale Only DNR Tracts | (($1,811))$1,089 | (($3,322))$2,178 |
Shucker Packer | Plants < 2,000 sq. ft. | 2 or less | (($4,398)) $542 | (($8,252))$2,698 |
Plants < 2,000 sq. ft. | 3 or more | (($4,816))$3,354 | (($9,090))$6,709 |
Plants 2,000-5,000 sq. ft. | 2 or less | (($5,512))$2,868 | (($10,368))$5,737 |
Plants 2,000-5,000 sq. ft. | 3 or more | (($5,405))$3,387 | (($10,154))$6,775 |
Plants ˃ 5,000 sq. ft. | N/A | (($5,105))$2,868 | (($9,000))$5,737 |
(b) $159 for each export certificate.
(c) Annual biotoxin testing for companies harvesting species other than geoduck intertidally (between the extremes of high and low tide):
Operation | Acres | Harvest Sites | Fee effective until June 30, 2026 | ((Fee effective starting July 1, 2026)) |
Harvester | | 2 or less | $353 | (($710)) |
| 3 or more | $535 | (($1,076)) |
Shellstock Shipper | Wholesale | Wholesale | $198 | (($398)) |
0-49 Acres | 2 or less | $393 | (($790)) |
0-49 Acres | 3 or more | $610 | (($1,226)) |
50 or greater | N/A | $961 | (($1,933)) |
Shucker Packer | Plants < 2,000 sq. ft. | 2 or less | $752 | (($1,512)) |
Plants < 2,000 sq. ft. | 3 or more | $1,076 | (($2,164)) |
Plants 2,000-5,000 sq. ft. | 2 or less | $882 | (($1,773)) |
Plants 2,000-5,000 sq. ft. | 3 or more | $1,297 | (($2,607)) |
Plants ˃ 5,000 sq. ft. | N/A | $2,412 | (($4,848)) |
(d) Annual PSP testing for companies harvesting geoduck:
Fee effective until June 30, 2026 | ((Fee effective starting July 1, 2026)) |
$188 per test | (($297 per test)) |
(e) $64 for a virtual correction inspection.
(f) $291 for an on-site follow up inspection.
(g) $323 for a preoperation inspection for a new or expired license. This is a nonrefundable fee and is in addition to an annual license fee as outlined in subsection (1)(a) of this section.
(2) The number of harvest sites will be the total listed sites on the licensed company's harvest site certificate:
(a) At the time of first licensure;
(b) January 1st of each year for companies licensed as harvesters; or
(c) April 1st of each year for companies licensed as shellstock shippers and shucker packers.
(3) Fees must be paid in full to the department before a commercial shellfish license is issued or renewed.
(4) Refunds for fees will be given only if the applicant withdraws a new or renewal license application prior to the effective date of the new or renewed license.