1. (1) The burden of proof is a party's responsibility to provide evidence regarding disputed facts and persuade the presiding officer, reviewing officer or officers, or hearing officer that a position is correct based on the standard of proof. Unless stated otherwise in rules or law, the appellant has the burden of proof in a brief adjudicative proceeding or formal administrative hearing.
2. (2) Standard of proof refers to the amount of evidence needed to prove a party's position. Unless stated otherwise in rules or law, the standard of proof in a brief adjudicative proceeding or formal administrative hearing is a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that something is more likely to be true than not.
3. (3) Public officers and state agencies are presumed to have properly performed their duties and acted as described in the law, unless preponderance of the evidence to the contrary is presented. A party challenging this presumption bears the burden of proof.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160. WSR 22-13-158 (Admin #2022-01), § 182-16-066, filed 6/21/22, effective 1/1/23; WSR 20-16-062 (Admin #2020-03), § 182-16-066, filed 7/28/20, effective 1/1/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, and PEBB policy resolutions. WSR 19-17-073 (Admin #2019-01), § 182-16-066, filed 8/20/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160. WSR 18-22-033, § 182-16-066 (Admin #2018-03), filed 10/29/18, effective 1/1/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160 and 2013 2nd sp.s. c 4. WSR 14-20-058 (PEBB Admin 2014-02), § 182-16-066, filed 9/25/14, effective 1/1/15.]