Bill > HB1242

This bill amends the existing law regarding professional licensing reporting requirements to enhance transparency and review processes. Beginning in 2024, the department will annually review approximately 10 percent of professional licenses, with the goal of comprehensively reviewing all licenses within its jurisdiction every 10 years. The annual report, to be submitted by August 31st each year, will now include several new mandatory elements: a breakdown of expenses by specific activities like application processing and complaint handling, options to reduce license renewal fees for professions with lower average wages, and a cost analysis for potentially moving from annual to biennial license renewals. The report will continue to include existing requirements such as license issuance statistics, revocation reasons, and comparisons with other states' regulatory approaches. Additionally, the bill expands the department's ability to request information from professional boards and requires the department to provide notice to relevant boards and licensees before commencing a review. The overall aim is to create a more comprehensive and systematic approach to evaluating professional licensing requirements, with a focus on ensuring that regulations are the least restrictive necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1242&Year=2025&Initiative=false