Wash. Rev. Code » Title 43 · Chapter 43.06
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 43.06.010 (2026)

General powers and duties

✓ current as of May 2026
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In addition to those prescribed by the Constitution, the governor may exercise the powers and perform the duties prescribed in this and the following sections:
(1) The governor shall supervise the conduct of all executive and ministerial offices;
(2) The governor shall see that all offices are filled, including as provided in RCW 42.12.070 and 42.12.080, and the duties thereof performed, or in default thereof, apply such remedy as the law allows; and if the remedy is imperfect, acquaint the legislature therewith at its next session;
(3) The governor shall make the appointments and supply the vacancies mentioned in this title;
(4) The governor is the sole official organ of communication between the government of this state and the government of any other state or territory, or of the United States;
(5) Whenever any suit or legal proceeding is pending against this state, or which may affect the title of this state to any property, or which may result in any claim against the state, the governor may direct the attorney general to appear on behalf of the state, and report the same to the governor, or to any grand jury designated by the governor, or to the legislature when next in session;
(6) The governor may require the attorney general or any prosecuting attorney to inquire into the affairs or management of any corporation existing under the laws of this state, or doing business in this state, and report the same to the governor, or to any grand jury designated by the governor, or to the legislature when next in session;
(7) The governor may require the attorney general to aid any prosecuting attorney in the discharge of the prosecutor's duties;
(8) The governor may offer rewards, not exceeding one thousand dollars in each case, payable out of the state treasury, for information leading to the apprehension of any person convicted of a felony who has escaped from a state correctional institution or for information leading to the arrest of any person who has committed or is charged with the commission of a felony;
(9) The governor shall perform such duties respecting fugitives from justice as are prescribed by law;
(10) The governor shall issue and transmit election proclamations as prescribed by law;
(11) The governor may require any officer or board to make, upon demand, special reports to the governor, in writing;
(12) The governor may, after finding that a public disorder, disaster, energy emergency, or riot exists within this state or any part thereof which affects life, health, property, or the public peace, proclaim a state of emergency in the area affected, and the powers granted the governor during a state of emergency shall be effective only within the area described in the proclamation;
(13) The governor may, after finding that there exists within this state an imminent danger of infestation of plant pests as defined in RCW 17.24.007 or plant diseases which seriously endangers the agricultural or horticultural industries of the state of Washington, or which seriously threatens life, health, or economic well-being, order emergency measures to prevent or abate the infestation or disease situation, which measures, after thorough evaluation of all other alternatives, may include the aerial application of pesticides;
(14) The governor, after finding that a prohibited level 1 or level 2 species as defined in chapter 77.135 RCW has been detected and after finding that the detected species seriously endangers or threatens the environment, economy, human health, or well-being of the state of Washington, may order emergency measures to prevent or abate the prohibited species, which measures, after thorough evaluation of all other alternatives, may include the surface or aerial application of pesticides;
(15) On all compacts forwarded to the governor pursuant to RCW 9.46.360(6), the governor is authorized and empowered to execute on behalf of the state compacts with federally recognized Indian tribes in the state of Washington pursuant to the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq., for conducting class III gaming, as defined in the Act, on Indian lands.
[ 2023 c 369 s 3; 2014 c 202 s 305; 1994 c 223 s 3; 1993 c 142 s 5; 1992 c 172 s 1; 1991 c 257 s 22; 1982 c 153 s 1; 1979 ex.s. c 53 s 4; 1977 ex.s. c 289 s 15; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108 s 25; 1969 ex.s. c 186 s 8; 1965 c 8 s 43.06.010. Prior: 1890 p 627 s 1; RRS s 10982.]

Notes:

Findings—2014 c 202: See note following RCW 77.135.010.
Severability—1992 c 172: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1992 c 172 s 4.]
Severability—Effective date—1982 c 153: See notes following RCW 17.24.210.
Severability—Effective date—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108: See notes following RCW 43.21F.010.
Rewards by county legislative authorities: Chapter 10.85 RCW.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1974–2023 · leading case: Colvin v. Inslee, 467 P.3d 953 (Wash. 2020).
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Colvin v. Inslee, 467 P.3d 953 (Wash. 2020). · cites it 2× “” RCW 43.06.010(12). An emergency proclamation unlocks “the powers granted the governor during a state of emergency.”
Cougar Bus. Owners Ass'n v. State, 647 P.2d 481 (Wash. 1982). · cites it 4× “RCW 43.06.010 prescribes the general powers and duties of the Governor, including: (12) The governor may, after finding that a public disorder, disaster, energy emergency, or riot exists within this state or any part thereof which affects life, health, property, or the public…”
Slidewaters LLC v. Washington State Dep't, 4 F.4th 747 (9th Cir. 2021). “” Wash. Rev. Code § 43.06.010 (12) (2014). Slidewaters argues that the COVID-19 pandemic is not “a public disorder, disaster, energy emergency, or riot,” so the governor exceeded his lawful authority when he declared a state of emergency in Proclamation 20-05.”
Freedom Found. v. Gregoire, 310 P.3d 1252 (Wash. 2013). · cites it 2× “Further, the trial court determined that if the PRA required a specific statutory citation for executive privilege, RCW 43.06.010 *694 provided such a citation.”
United States v. 1,216.83 Acres of Land, 574 P.2d 375 (Wash. 1978). · cites it 6× “320 is authorization for the game commission to grant specific consent; (2) RCW 43.06.010 either repealed by implication RCW 77.”
State v. Sponburgh, 525 P.2d 238 (Wash. 1974). · cites it 4× “However, article 3, section 5 of the constitution of this state reads: The governor may require information in writing from the officers of the state upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed.”
Gonzales v. Inslee, 535 P.3d 864 (Wash. 2023). · cites it 2× “050; RCW 43.06.010, .200-.270. Under these laws, the governor is empowered to prohibit “activities as he or she reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace.”
In re Recall of Inslee, 451 P.3d 305 (Wash. 2019). “(Emphasis added.) Governor Inslee is not required to declare an emergency, and West does not articulate why the choice not to execute this discretionary act was manifestly unreasonable.”
Fischer-McReynolds v. Quasim, 6 P.3d 30 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “For example, RCW 43.06.010(12) authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency under certain circumstances.”
Fischer-McReynolds v. Quasim, 6 P.3d 30 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “For example, RCW 43.06.010(12) authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency under certain circumstances.”
Gene & Susan Gonzales, V. Jay Inslee & State Of Wa, 504 P.3d 890 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022). “RCW 43.06.010(12) states, “The governor may, after finding that a public disorder, disaster, energy emergency, or riot exists within this state or any part thereof which affects life, health, property, or the public peace, proclaim a state of emergency in the area affected.”
Michael Collins v. State Of Washington (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “030 [attorney general’s powers and duties], or RCW 43.06.010 [governor’s powers and duties], such claims having been dismissed with prejudice by this order.”
Show all 15 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.06.010(1) — 1 case
United States v. 1,216.83 Acres of Land, 574 P.2d 375 (Wash. 1978). “320 is authorization for the game commission to grant specific consent; (2) RCW 43.06.010 either repealed by implication RCW 77.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.06.010(12) — 8 cases
Colvin v. Inslee, 467 P.3d 953 (Wash. 2020). “” RCW 43.06.010(12). An emergency proclamation unlocks “the powers granted the governor during a state of emergency.”
In re Recall of Inslee, 451 P.3d 305 (Wash. 2019). “(Emphasis added.) Governor Inslee is not required to declare an emergency, and West does not articulate why the choice not to execute this discretionary act was manifestly unreasonable.”
Gonzales v. Inslee, 535 P.3d 864 (Wash. 2023). “050; RCW 43.06.010, .200-.270. Under these laws, the governor is empowered to prohibit “activities as he or she reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace.”
Fischer-McReynolds v. Quasim, 6 P.3d 30 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “For example, RCW 43.06.010(12) authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency under certain circumstances.”
Fischer-McReynolds v. Quasim, 6 P.3d 30 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “For example, RCW 43.06.010(12) authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency under certain circumstances.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.06.010(4) — 1 case
United States v. 1,216.83 Acres of Land, 574 P.2d 375 (Wash. 1978). “320 is authorization for the game commission to grant specific consent; (2) RCW 43.06.010 either repealed by implication RCW 77.”
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