# Washington Pauses New Rulemaking

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order launching a review of state regulations and a six-month pause on new agency rules that would impose additional requirements, starting December 4, 2026. Agencies must submit initial recommendations within eight months. The order does not create a procurement or funding opportunity, but its review could affect compliance costs, permitting, and implementation timelines for contractors and businesses operating in regulated sectors.

- The pause begins **December 4, 2026**; affected businesses and contractors can assess which planned or pending state rules could affect their operations or project assumptions.
- Procurement teams should review exposure to Washington regulatory requirements and track agency guidance and review outcomes, which may affect permitting schedules, operating costs, or contract delivery assumptions.
- The order directs agencies to develop recommendations within eight months, creating a potential route for future changes to regulatory requirements; no specific rule revisions are identified in the signal.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Policy
**Published:** November 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA)
- Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM)
- Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)
- Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)

### Key Quotes
> This executive order helps us reduce unnecessary burdens and strengthen Washington’s economic competitiveness.
> — Bob Ferguson, Governor

### Sources
- [Governor Ferguson signs executive order launching regulatory reform initiative | Governor Bob Ferguson](https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-signs-executive-order-launching-regulatory-reform-initiative) - WA