Washington Administrative Code Title 1 - Code Reviser, Office of the
Overview
WAC Title 1 sets forth the rules and procedures for the Office of the Code Reviser in Washington State. This office is responsible for preparing, publishing, and maintaining Washington’s administrative and legislative codes, ensuring that laws and regulations are clear, accessible, and properly organized.
The Code Reviser acts as a nonpartisan, neutral staff to assist the legislature, state agencies, and the public in understanding and using Washington law.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
Compilation and Publication
Prepares the official Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
Updates codes when the legislature passes new laws or agencies adopt new rules.
Ensures consistency in formatting, numbering, and cross-references throughout the WAC and RCW.
Formatting and Style
Standardizes legal language, headings, and numbering in administrative rules.
Corrects technical errors (spelling, punctuation, references) in laws and rules.
Maintains uniformity in terminology and style across all state codes.
Rule Filing and Review
Reviews rules submitted by state agencies to ensure they comply with legal and formatting requirements.
Assigns official WAC numbers to new rules.
Ensures that agency rules are clear, accessible, and follow proper procedure.
Indexing and Accessibility
Maintains a searchable index of WAC titles, chapters, and sections.
Publishes updates and supplements to keep codes current.
Provides public access to laws and rules through official publications and online resources.
Corrections and Amendments
Issues technical corrections to fix minor errors in laws or rules without changing their meaning.
Maintains a formal record of amendments and repeals to ensure legal clarity.
Assistance to Legislature and Agencies
Advises legislators, committees, and agencies on drafting and codifying laws.
Provides guidance on proper legal format, numbering, and style.
Acts as a central repository for all state administrative rules.
Purpose of WAC Title 1
To ensure legal consistency, clarity, and accessibility in Washington’s statutes and administrative rules.
To provide a central, impartial office that maintains the integrity of the state’s legal codes.
To streamline rulemaking and code management so that agencies and the public can easily find and understand the law.
✅ In short: WAC Title 1 governs the Office of the Code Reviser, which organizes, maintains, and publishes Washington’s laws and administrative rules, ensuring they are accurate, clear, and accessible to the public and government agencies.
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