The bill establishes the Washington Department of Government Efficiency (WADOGE) as a legislative agency focused on enhancing the efficiency of state government operations and expenditures. WADOGE will identify and recommend the elimination of inefficient state policies and processes, collaborate with state entities to halt the enforcement of overreaching regulations, and consolidate duplicative functions. A board comprising two senators and two representatives will oversee the agency, which will be managed by a director. WADOGE is also tasked with regularly reporting its findings and recommendations to the legislature.

In addition to creating WADOGE, the bill introduces regulatory reforms that require agencies to repeal at least two existing rules for every new rule adopted, thereby managing compliance costs. It emphasizes a regulatory budgeting process to ensure that the costs of new regulations are balanced by the elimination of existing ones. The bill mandates that agencies adhere to a total incremental cost allowance for regulatory changes and conduct economic analyses for proposed rules that may incur significant costs. Furthermore, it directs WADOGE to review agency actions for compliance with constitutional standards and establishes a suspense account for managing funds allocated to state agencies. The legislation is designed to take effect immediately and will expire on July 4, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 44.80.020, 44.90.020