Ferguson Pauses New Rules to Streamline State Regulations
Washington's governor signed an executive order halting new agency rulemaking that would add requirements on businesses and individuals while agencies review existing rules.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Government
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Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order pausing new agency rulemaking that would impose regulatory requirements on businesses, individuals, or other regulated entities. The order directs state agencies to review existing rules and statutes to streamline state regulations.
Why it matters
Ferguson said bureaucracy gets in the way of serving the people, and the order aims to reduce unnecessary burdens and strengthen economic competitiveness across Washington. Limited exceptions allow rulemaking that responds to imminent threats or binding legal requirements.
The pause on new regulatory-imposing rulemaking lasts six months, and agencies must submit initial reports within eight months recommending changes. Department of Licensing processing for 340 licenses and permits fell from 46 days to 25 days, but the extraction does not say which existing rules will ultimately be cut.
The players
Bob Ferguson
Ferguson is the governor of Washington state, who signed the executive order within minutes of being sworn in to speed permitting at state agencies.
Brad Smith
Brad Smith is Microsoft Vice Chair and President and a member of the Governor's Economic Development Council.
The details
Ferguson signed the order in Redmond at the second meeting of the Governor's Economic Development Council, which was hosted by Microsoft, whose Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits on the council. The initiative will be led by the Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance in coordination with the Governor's Office and the Office of Financial Management.
Timeline
Friday, Dec. 4: Agencies begin the pause on new regulatory-imposing rulemaking.
Six months from Dec. 4: The rulemaking pause expires.
Eight months after the order: Agencies submit initial reports recommending regulatory changes.
Political Context
Opponents and advocates for stronger regulation have not been identified in the extraction, so the counter-argument cannot be stated from the source. The order follows the council's economic-competitiveness agenda by pausing new rules while agencies review existing ones.
Businesses and individuals should expect no new agency rules that would impose additional requirements during the six-month pause, though limited exceptions apply. Faster processing at the Department of Licensing and Labor and Industries may reduce wait times for permits and contractor registrations.
The takeaway
Residents and businesses tracking state rules should watch the eight-month agency reports, since they will determine which regulations are actually changed or removed.
What happens next
Agencies begin the rulemaking pause on Friday, Dec. 4, which expires six months later, and they must submit initial reports recommending changes within eight months of the order.
Further reading
Explore more Government coverage on how Washington state officials are shaping regulatory policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
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