Opinion ID: 1160198
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Determination of Need

Text: St. Joseph's second claim is the Department's use of former WAC 246-310-280 to determine need resulted in an overstatement of need in contravention of the requirements of RCW 70.38. St. Joseph argues the Department may not use the rule because it has become outdated. Although St. Joseph's challenge is somewhat indirect, it can only be evaluated as a challenge to the rule itself because it is arguing the rule cannot lawfully be used. [6] Under the new administrative procedure act, the validity of a rule may be determined in the context of any review proceeding using a single standard of review. RCW 34.05.570(2)(a). See 64 Wash. L. Rev. at 833-34. Importantly, the validity of the rulemaking action is judged  as of the time it was taken . Neah Bay Chamber of Commerce v. Department of Fisheries, 119 Wn.2d 464, 474, 832 P.2d 1310 (1992). The timing issue precludes applying this standard to the facts here. St. Joseph did not challenge the rule as of the time of adoption, and the rulemaking file is not part of the record before us. We therefore decline to decide on the validity of the rule. DURHAM, C.J., UTTER, DOLLIVER, SMITH, GUY, and MADSEN, JJ., and ANDERSEN and BRACHTENBACH, JJ. Pro Tem., concur.