New bill brings DOGE for Washington state. But does it have a shot?

Washington Republicans introduced a bill that would create the Washington Department of Government Efficiency (WADOGE) as a legislative agency overseen by a small board of elected lawmakers.

House Bill 2076 would create a local DOGE agency modeled after the national office run by Elon Musk. WADOGE would recommend measures to save costs for Washington consumers and look for opportunities to consolidate duplicative agency functions.

The WADOGE would do more than tackle government waste. It would also work with state agencies to identify and stop enforcement of regulations that exceed statutory authority.

Why do Republicans say WADOGE is necessary?

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen), was introduced because, according to the legislation, “most of the state’s government enforcement decisions and discretionary expenditures are not made by elected representatives but rather by unelected bureaucrats within government agencies who view themselves as immune from accountability.”

“Furthermore, the legislature intends for all agencies, departments, offices, boards, commissions, and other state entities to assist in identifying policies, processes, and expenditures that should be considered for removal and to help improve the state’s budget decisions,” the legislation explains.

HB 2076 has been referred to the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee for further consideration. It’s unlikely to gain traction this late in the legislative session. But Walsh is hoping Washingtonians will leave supportive comments for the state legislature.

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