The proposed 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 consisting of two senators and two representatives will oversee the agency, which will be responsible for appointing a director to manage its operations. The bill also mandates regular reporting of WADOGE's findings and recommendations to the legislature.

Additionally, the bill introduces a regulatory reform framework that requires agencies to repeal at least two existing rules for every new rule adopted, aiming to reduce compliance costs and streamline the regulatory environment. It emphasizes the need for agencies to adhere to a total incremental cost allowance for regulatory changes and mandates economic analyses for proposed rules that may incur significant costs. The legislation also addresses concerns about the potential misuse of state agencies against individuals, tasking WADOGE with reviewing agency processes for compliance and identifying arbitrary actions. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and establishes a suspense account for WADOGE to manage allocated funds. The act is set to take effect immediately and will expire on July 4, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 44.80.020, 44.90.020