Current rule-making petitions

Any person may petition the agency requesting the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule. A petition form is available for download (PDF) from the Office of Financial Management. Petitions must be sent to the Agency Rules Coordinator at Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov to receive consideration.

WDFW will respond with a decision letter within 60 days from the date the petition was received. If the petition is granted, the agency will initiate rule making by developing a CR-102 rule proposal, which will undergo the full public comment process before receiving a final decision.

For information on petitions that have been decided on or withdrawn, visit our "archived" (granted, denied, and withdrawn) petitions page.

Pending Commission decision

  • Petition - Return of the Washington State Spring Black Bear hunting season

    Received: Mar 18, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency begin rulemaking for the return of the Washington State Spring Black Bear hunting season.

    Due date: May 17, 2026

     

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

    Supporting documents

  • Petition - Begin rulemaking for the year-round Washington State cougar hunting season

    Received: Mar 16, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the department begin rulemaking for the year-round Washington State cougar hunting season.

    Due date: May 15, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

  • Petition - Allow the retention of flatfish (excluding halibut) in all waters of Marine Area 12

    Received: Feb 18, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency amend WAC 220-314-010(2)(c) to allow the retention of flatfish (excluding halibut) in all waters of Marine Area 12 north of a true east line from Ayock Point to the opposite shore; waters shallower than 120 feet (20 fathoms).

    Due date: April 19, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

  • Petition - Allow regulated freshwater spearfishing in Washington rivers, lakes, and ponds for food fish and designated gamefish species.

    Received: Feb 17, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency initiate rulemaking to allow regulated freshwater spearfishing in Washington's rivers, lakes, and ponds for food fish and designated gamefish species. 

    Due date: April 18, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

  • Petition - Return of the WA State Spring Black Bear Hunting Season

    Received: Feb 15, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency begin rulemaking for the return of the WA State Spring Black Bear hunting season.

    Due date: April 16, 2026

    Petition: (PDF)

  • Petition - Return of the WA State Spring Black Bear Hunting Season

    Received: Feb 13, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency begin rulemaking for the return of the WA State Spring Black Bear hunting season. 

    Due date: April 14, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

  • Petition - Extend the Fishing Season on the Dungeness River.

    Received: Feb 9, 2026

    Status: Pending

    The petitioner is requesting that the agency extend the fishing season on the Dungeness River from October 23 - April 30.

    Due date: April 10, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)

  • Petition - Return of the WA State Spring Black Bear Hunting Season

    Received: Feb 5, 2026

    Status: Pending

    Petitioner is requesting that the agency begin rulemaking for the return of the Washington State Spring Black Bear hunting season.

    Due date: April 6, 2026

    Petition: Petition (PDF)