REDMOND — Gov. Bob Ferguson on Wednesday signed an executive order directing state agencies to systematically review existing rules and statutes for opportunities to reduce unnecessary burdens, while imposing a temporary pause on new rulemaking that would add regulatory requirements.
Executive Order 26-06, titled “Improving Government Efficiency Through Regulatory Reform,” was signed Nov. 4 in Redmond during a meeting with the Governor’s Economic Development Council. In a social media post, Ferguson wrote that the order launches a regulatory reform initiative under which agencies must review existing rules and recommend changes. He also announced a six-month pause on new agency rulemaking that would impose additional regulatory 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 applies to all cabinet agencies and other executive agencies that report to the governor. Other state entities with regulatory authority are encouraged to undertake similar reviews. Its stated purpose is to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and improve government services while preserving protections for public health, safety, workers, consumers, and the environment.
The Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance will lead the effort in coordination with the Governor’s Office and the Office of Financial Management. Within 60 days, ORIA is to issue implementation guidance, including a standardized reporting template. Each agency head must also designate an executive lead within that timeframe.
Agencies are then to review their existing rules and statutes. The reviews are intended to identify opportunities to eliminate outdated, duplicative, or unnecessary requirements; simplify rules and statutes to improve clarity, consistency, and ease of compliance; reduce administrative burdens on businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and local governments; streamline permitting, licensing, and other approval processes; modernize administrative requirements and improve coordination across agencies; and identify statutory changes that would reduce burdens or enable more efficient operations.
Agencies may prioritize based on opportunities for meaningful improvements and build on existing review processes rather than conducting a comprehensive overhaul of every rule before the first report.
Initial reports are due to ORIA, OFM, and the Governor’s Office within eight months. Those reports are to include a status update, any barriers encountered, and specific recommendations for administrative rules the agency would amend, repeal, or consolidate, as well as recommended statutory changes that could become agency request legislation. Within 60 days after those reports are due, ORIA is to submit consolidated recommendations to the Governor’s Office, including opportunities for cross-agency reforms. Agencies are to submit subsequent progress reports annually beginning July 1, 2028, with ORIA providing an annual consolidated summary and further recommendations.
Separately, the order establishes a six-month rulemaking pause that begins 30 days after the order’s effective date. Starting Dec. 4, agencies may not initiate new rulemaking that would impose new or additional regulatory requirements on businesses, individuals, or other regulated entities, except when necessary to comply with state or federal law, court orders, or other binding requirements; respond to imminent threats to public health, safety, or the environment; maintain federal funding; or address other circumstances approved by the Governor’s Office in consultation with ORIA. “Initiate” is defined as filing the first notice under state administrative procedure law to commence a new rulemaking. Proceedings already underway before the pause period are not affected. ORIA is to issue additional guidance on compliance.
The order notes that the initiative is complementary to earlier directives on permitting and licensing efficiency and on improving customer experience in state government. It is to be implemented consistent with applicable law, is not intended to alter existing collective bargaining agreements, and does not confer any legal right or entitlement that could be used as a basis for legal challenges. It takes effect immediately.
The regulatory reform effort follows Ferguson’s creation earlier this year of a 26-member Governor’s Economic Development Council tasked with advising on competitiveness, marketing the state to businesses, and identifying regulatory barriers.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
