Gov. Gregoire extends rule moratorium

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire signed an executive order extending the state�s moratorium on non-critical rule making. As a result of the previous year�s moratorium, cabinet agencies put 436 rules � about half of what was proposed � on hold.

�It�s clear from the state of our economy that the timing isn�t right to end the moratorium,� Gregoire said. �Giving small businesses and local governments more time to devote their full attention to creating jobs and helping communities will help support the economy.�

Gregoire�s moratorium directs state agencies to continue to suspend new rule development and adoption but not at the expense of public health, safety and welfare. The Office of Financial Management will continue to provide guidelines to develop and adopt new rules during the moratorium. These guidelines allow rules related to employment assistance, consumer protection or government reform to move forward, and allow rulemaking when required by laws or court orders, or to respond to budget cuts or protect fund solvency. This will support the public interest by allowing, for instance, the Department of Financial Institutions to respond to deceptive advertising practices to consumers in the residential mortgage loan servicing industry. Agencies can also move forward with rules that protect Washingtonians from significant risks to public health, safety or welfare, or by request of local governments, businesses or entities the state regulates.

According to state agencies, federal or state laws drove approximately half of the rules that were adopted during the previous moratorium. The remaining rules were adopted to respond to budget cuts, to protect the public health, welfare and safety, or because they were requested by regulated entities and stakeholders.

Today�s executive order extends the moratorium to Dec. 31, 2012.

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