OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State Senators are moving to give the legislature new powers over the governor.
Lawmakers approved a measure Tuesday, February 15th, that allows legislative leaders to end a governor’s state of emergency after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session.
Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency over COVID-19 nearly two years ago.
Legislative leaders are able to stop some emergency orders by the governor, such as waiving rules on in-person public records reviews, but can’t currently end the declared state of emergency.
The bill now heads to the House for consideration.