Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls parts of regulatory reform bill unnecessary

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke approved portions of House Bill 1032, a measure that includes concepts from a number of previously separate bills related to the broad theme of regulatory reform. He vetoed a number of sections considered unnecessary or counter to the objectives of government streamlining.


Locke said he wholeheartedly supports the goal of reducing bureaucracy. "The first executive order I signed as governor forces agencies to streamline operations to better serve businesses and the public while reducing costs," Locke said. "I directed a cabinet-level team to examine whether rules are needed, fair and don't impose unreasonable costs on taxpayers or members of the public."


The 44-page bill included a number of provisions the governor approved, such as measures that will help consolidate separate rules that deal with the same subject, expedite the repeal of more rules and give better notice of upcoming rules. Locke said these and the additional approved sections will help build on the efforts he already launched.


"I have vetoed sections which require more rule-making, lengthen the amount of time government agencies have to make decisions, and add more cumbersome steps to governmental processes," Locke added. "Regulatory reform is supposed to bring fewer rules, fewer process requirements, and faster results. I've blocked provisions which raise costs, increase inefficiency, or sacrifice protection of health, safety and the environment under the guise of regulatory reform."


One of the vetoed provisions would essentially require agencies to adopt as a rule any written communication that is not simply advisory. Fire restrictions issued by the Department of Natural Resources, for example, would have to be blanket statewide restrictions and would have to go through the entire rule-making process before becoming enforceable under the canceled provisions. That could take several months. "We must consider each issue on it's own merits, so we can tell the difference between rules that no one can remember the reason for and rules that are vital to our health and safety.

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