Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed an executive order that pauses new state agency rulemaking that would impose new regulatory requirements on businesses, individuals or other regulated entities. The six-month pause begins Friday, Dec. 4.
The order, signed Nov. 4 in Redmond at the second meeting of the Governor’s Economic Development Council, also directs agencies to review existing rules and statutes for opportunities to eliminate unnecessary requirements, ease regulatory burdens and modernize administrative requirements. Agencies must submit initial reports recommending changes within eight months. The pause has limited exceptions, such as responding to imminent threats or binding legal requirements.
“There are few things that frustrate me more than bureaucracy that gets in the way of serving the people,” Ferguson said. “This executive order helps us reduce unnecessary burdens and strengthen Washington’s economic competitiveness.”
The order builds on an earlier one aimed at speeding up state permitting. According to the governor’s office, the Department of Labor and Industries has cut processing time for new contractor registrations from 12 weeks to three, and the Department of Licensing has cut processing time across its 340 licenses and permits from 46 days to 25.
The Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance will lead the initiative in coordination with the governor’s office and the Office of Financial Management.
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