Rep. Corry cosponsors emergency powers reform legislation with new governor ready to take power

Washington State Rep. Mike Volz, R-Spokane, says now is the time to enact emergency powers reform as the governor who abused his executive authority leaves office and a new one enters.

“We have had bipartisan support in the past to put sideboards on the powers of the executive branch during state emergencies,” said Volz, who has cosponsored similar legislation in past legislative sessions. “However, the outgoing governor was not interested in relinquishing any power and subsequently helped to squash our efforts. He chose to keep us under lockdown and abused his authority during COVID. I’m hoping the new governor, who has yet to taste the full power of the executive branch, will see the need for reasonable checks and balances within our governing system.”

Washington is one of only four states that hands over unilateral authority to the governor to declare and maintain a state of emergency. During a prolonged emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislative branch, which represents the voice of the people, has an extremely limited role in determining the policies set forth by the executive branch in Washington state.

Volz wants more input from the legislative branch and more accountability for the executive branch. He says this will help close a serious loophole in state law that the COVID pandemic helped reveal.

Volz’s bill, House Bill 1221, gives the legislative branch more input and influence during official state emergencies declared by the governor. If passed, a state of emergency could end if the legislature passes a concurrent resolution or if the leaders of all four caucuses agree in writing that the emergency is over.

In addition, a state of emergency would automatically end after 60 days unless specifically extended by the legislature. If a state of emergency is terminated, the governor cannot declare a subsequent state of emergency on the same or substantially similar topic. However, the legislature could reinstate a previously terminated state of emergency. The legislature could also address and nullify specific restrictions the executive branch imposes during declared emergencies.

Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, and cosponsor of Volz’s bill, sponsored similar legislation in 2022 with bipartisan sponsors and again in 2023. He agrees that now is the time to revisit the idea of emergency powers reform.

“This really goes to the cornerstone of our democratic values,” said Corry. “Do we want to be ruled by one individual? Or a group of individuals representing vast constituencies? We certainly acknowledge that the executive branch has a very large role to play when responding to emergencies. But unlimited and unchecked power is never a good thing, even for a short period of time, let alone the nearly three years Gov. Inslee had us under his thumb.”

Volz’s proposal has been referred to the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee for further consideration.

The 2025 legislative session began Monday, Jan. 13, and will run for 105 days.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov