Washington Senate OK’s Bill On Governor’s Emergency Powers

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – The Washington Senate has approved a measure that authorizes legislative leaders to terminate a governor’s state of emergency after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session.

The vote comes nearly two years after Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Legislature has no authority to terminate a declared state of emergency, but the four legislative leaders are able to stop some emergency orders by the governor, things like waiving rules on in-person public records reviews.

The bill heads to the House for consideration.

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