Governor Bob Ferguson signed an emergency proclamation to aid wildfire victims in Washington state. The proclamation expands access to the state’s disaster cash assistance program and increases access to vital documents lost in the fires.
Help for Individuals
The Department of Health, working with the Department of Licensing, will be on-site at the Emergency Disaster Center at Shadle Park High School to help Washingtonians obtain new copies of personal documents. Licenses, ID cards and other Department of Licensing records will be available, and vital records through the Department of Health will be available starting Tuesday, August 11.
The Governor’s emergency proclamation enables the Department of Licensing to grant extra time for people to renew their business and professional licenses. Washington state has the State Individual Assistance Program for people who have lost their homes during a declared emergency. The Governor’s emergency proclamation makes everyone without insurance who lost their home eligible to receive this assistance, regardless of their household income.
Help for Health Care
Health care providers play a critical role in providing care during an emergency, and they shouldn’t have to worry about renewing their licenses right now. The Governor’s emergency proclamation enables the Department of Health to grant extra time for health care providers to renew their licenses so they can continue providing care without worrying about having to file paperwork.
The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives the requirement that hospitals document and verify providers’ clinical privileges. This temporary waiver will help facilities add and retain health care providers quickly during the emergency.
Help for Businesses
Impacted businesses should not be penalized with fees for filing taxes late. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives those late fees for employers who can’t file or pay their second-quarter 2026 taxes on time because of the wildfires.
Rebuilding homes lost to the fires should be as streamlined as possible. The Governor’s emergency proclamation directs state agencies to submit reports within 30 days identifying statutes, regulations or building code provisions that can be waived or suspended to streamline state regulations and permitting requirements for people who are rebuilding.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
