(1) The board's publication "Significant Decisions," prepared pursuant to RCW 51.52.160, contains the decisions or orders of the board which it considers to have an analysis or decision of substantial importance to the board in carrying out its duties. Together with the indices of decision maintained pursuant to WAC 263-12-016(4), "Significant Decisions" shall serve as the index required by RCW 42.56.070 (5)(a) and (b).

(2) The board selects the decisions or orders to be included in "Significant Decisions" based on recommendations from staff and the public. Generally, a decision or order is considered "significant" only if it provides a legal analysis or interpretation not found in existing case law, or applies settled law to unusual facts. Decisions or orders may be included which demonstrate the application of a settled legal principle to varying fact situations or which reflect the further development of, or continued adherence to, a legal principle previously recognized by the board. Nominations of decisions or orders for inclusion in "Significant Decisions" should be submitted in writing to the chief legal officer.

(3) "Significant Decisions" consists of decisions and orders identified as significant and headnotes summarizing the proposition or propositions for which the board considers the decisions or orders "significant." Indices are also provided to identify each decision or order by name and by subject.

(4) "Significant Decisions" and indices may be accessed at the board's website, www.biia.wa.gov.