In 2019 the State Legislature passed legislation which gave the Governor the ability to declare a State of Emergency, and the emergency powers associated with it, without a mandated end date or a legislative extension.
Instead of requiring Inslee to get legislative approval, the Senate Democrats passed a bill that gives Inslee continued emergency powers over COVID proclamations.
There will likely be a war in Olympia when legislators attempt to greatly cut back Governor's emergency powers. This, they say, will apply to all future leaders as well.