Public speakers say bill limiting governor's emergency powers 'won't do enough'

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill that would limit the governor's emergency powers is making it's way through the 2022 Legislative Session.

The Senate approved Senate Bill (SB) 5909 last week and now it's in the House for consideration.

The measure would allow Legislative Leadership to terminate the governor's State of Emergency (SOE) after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session.

Currently, the governor is the only one who can end a SOE.

"I have to ask, where's the paper tiger here," Reni Storm, a concerned citizen, said. "It doesn't have any teeth."

A frustration expressed by many during Tuesday's public hearing for SB 5909, saying it will do little to limit the governor's power.

"This is an abuse of emergency powers and we need clearer boundaries and a limited time frame to prevent repeating history," Danielle Gamotis, a concerned citizen, said. "I'm against this bill as it is not limiting enough power."

Angela Baldwin, another concerned citizen, said the bill needs some changes.

"Emergency orders should expire after 30 days and if the governor seeks an extension, it will be in his court to seek out legislative approval rather than the current bill requiring an impossible vote to expire an order," Baldwin said.

This discussion comes nearly two years after Gov. Jay Inslee declared a SOE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"A lot of businesses have been fined by Labor and Industries, and they've been shut down," Terri Dow, one of the public speakers, said. "They've already been harmed by all the excessive mandates. There's no end in site."

John Worthington, another concerned citizen said there needs to be more accountability.

"A democracy has to have checks and balances or you're not a democracy," Worthington said.

The House did not take any action on the bill in Tuesday's hearing.

"The Legislative branch is the branch of the people. We have a responsibility to the citizens of Washington to keep single entity powers in line through checks and balances," Baldwin said.

SB 5909 is scheduled for an executive session in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23.