Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 18, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Vetoes Onerous Rules Legislation

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today vetoed a bill requiring the governor’s signature on all significant legislative rules.

House Bill 1531 would have required the governor to review and sign any significant legislative rules adopted by agencies under his authority, delaying agency rule implementation.

Locke’s veto message stated the following:

“I have long been a proponent of regulatory reform, as demonstrated by Executive Order 97-02, which directs agencies to repeal unnecessary rules, consolidate and clarify rules, and ensure a more open rule adoption process. A primary objective since I took office has been to make government regulations easier to understand and follow, and with the input and help of those who must live with the rules, we have made great strides.

“Building on those efforts, earlier today, I was pleased to sign Substitute House Bill 1550, relating to the office of regulatory assistance, which will help applicants to navigate rulemaking and permitting. House Bill No. 1531, on the other hand, would undermine all of this progress. The bill’s mandate that I sign rule adoption orders for 75 to 100 rules each year would delay new rules and do so at additional cost while adding no value. In short, it would add rolls of red tape, the very tape we’re working hard to cut.”

A number of state agencies would have been affected by this legislation including the state’s departments of Ecology, Agriculture, Revenue, Health, and Labor and Industries.

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Editor’s Note: The complete text of the governor’s veto message is available by calling the Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136.

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