Washington State Legislature
| Washington State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 8, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Denny Heck (D) |
| House Speaker: | Laurie Jinkins (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Andy Billig (D) House: Joe Fitzgibbon (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: John Braun (R) House: (Error - no official found) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 49 (Senate), 98 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art II, Section 2, Washington Constitution |
| Salary: | $57,876/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Washington State Redistricting Commission has control |
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of Washington. It is a bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, with 98 representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 senators.
The State Legislature meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia.
The Legislature begins each legislative session annually on the second Monday in January. In odd-numbered years, such as when the state budget is debated upon, the State Legislature meets for 105 days, and in even-numbered years, it meets for 60 days. The Governor of Washington, if necessary, can call legislators in for a special session for a 30-day period at any time during the year. Legislators can also call themselves into special session by a two-thirds vote by both the House of Representatives and the State Senate.
Article II of the Washington State Constitution defines the powers, duties, and privileges of the legislative branch of Washington's state government.
Washington has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Elections
2024
Elections for the Washington State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 6, 2024. The filing deadline is May 10, 2024.
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 6, 2024. The filing deadline is May 10, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Washington State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was May 20, 2022.
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was May 20, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was May 15, 2020.
Elections for the office of Washington House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was May 15, 2020.
2018
Elections for the Washington State Senate took place in 2018. A top-two primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2018.[1]
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2018. A top-two primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2018.[2]
2016
Elections for the Washington State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.
2014
Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014.
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2012.
Elections for the office of Washington House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 17, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2010.
Elections for the office of Washington House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 17, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2010.
Sessions
Article II of the Washington Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 12 of Article II allows the dates of regular sessions to be determined by statute. Current law calls for the Legislature to meet on the second Monday in January.[3] Section 12 of the constitution limits the length of regular sessions to 105 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years.
Section 12 also establishes rules for convening special sessions of the Legislature. It states that special sessions can be called by the Governor of Washington or by resolution of two-thirds of the members of each legislative house. Special sessions are not to exceed 30 days in length.[4]
2024
- See also: 2024 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions
In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on March 7, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on April 23, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on March 10, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on April 25, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on March 12, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Washington were made. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 28, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2018, through March 8, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2017, through April 23, 2017. The legislature held its first special session from April 24, 2017, to May 23, 2017. A second special session took place from May 23, 2017, to June 21, 2017. A third special session began on June 21, 2017. It ended on July 20, 2017.
2016
In 2016, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 through March 10. The legislature held a special session from March 11 to March 29 to pass a supplemental budget.[8][9] 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 24. The legislature was in special session from April 29 to May 28, May 29 to June 27, and June 28 to July 10.[10] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 13 through March 14. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included a court-mandated $5 billion education funding package, transportation funding through a gas tax increase, and climate change proposals.[11] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to April 29. Major issues in 2013Throughout the 2013 legislative session, the budget remained the most pressing issue for the state. Other agenda items included marijuana, child sex abuse, firearm ownership regulation, wolves, small businesses, human trafficking, and healthcare.[12] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 9 through March 8. 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 through April 24.[13] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 to March 11. Additionally, the legislature was in special session from March 15 to April 12 to deal with issues related to the economy and the state budget.[14] |
Role in state budget
- See also: Washington state budget and finances
Washington on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[15]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in June.
- State agency budget requests are submitted between August and September.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the Washington State Legislature on or before December 20.
- The legislature adopts a budget between April and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
- The biennial budget cycle begins in July.
Washington is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[15]
The governor is required by statute to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. Likewise, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.[15]
Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators.
As of the 2020 Census, Washington state senators represented an average of 157,468 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 137,824 residents.
Senators serve four-year terms, without term limits. Senators are elected from the same legislative districts as House members, with each district electing two representatives but only one senator.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Washington State Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions, and boards.
Leadership of the Senate
The Lieutenant Governor of Washington serves as the President of the Senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The President Pro Tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The majority and minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.
Partisan composition
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 29 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the Washington State Senate in 2018. In 2022, they won a 29-20 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Washington State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 28 | 25 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Republicans | 21 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 24* | 20 | 20 | 20 |
*A Democrat caucused with Republicans, giving the Republican Party a one-member majority.
House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature. It is composed of 98 representatives, two from each of Washington's 49 districts. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without term limits.
As of the 2020 Census, Washington state representatives represented an average of 78,734 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 68,912 residents.
Leadership of the House
The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The Speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House Resolution. As well as presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the House.
Partisan composition
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 58 | |
| Republican Party | 40 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the Washington House of Representatives in 2002. In 2022, they won a 58-40 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Washington House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 66 | 40 | 45 | 49 | 49 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 64 | 57 | 55 | 51 | 50 | 57 | 57 | 58 |
| Republicans | 32 | 58 | 53 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 43 | 35 | 34 | 41 | 43 | 47 | 48 | 41 | 41 | 40 |
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Washington are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 66 of the 98 members in the Washington House of Representatives and 33 of the 49 members in the Washington State Senate. Washington is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| According to Article III, Section 12 of the Washington Constitution, the legislature can call a special veto session to consider overrides of bills the governor vetoed after adjournment. Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to do so. The session may not exceed five days. The legislature may also consider vetoed bills during the next regular session. |
Authority: Article III, Section 12 of the Washington Constitution.
| "Every act which shall have passed the legislature shall be, before it becomes a law, presented to the governor. If he approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, which house shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present shall agree to pass the bill it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of the members present, it shall become a law; but in all such cases the vote of both houses shall be determined by the yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for or against the bill shall be entered upon the journal of each house respectively." |
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Washington
In Washington, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by a five-member non-politician commission. The commission was established by constitutional amendment in 1983. The majority and minority leaders of the Washington State Senate and Washington House of Representatives each appoint one registered voter to the commission. These four commissioners appoint a fifth, non-voting member to serve as the commission's chair. In the event that the four voting commissioners cannot agree on a chair, the Washington Supreme Court must appoint one.[16]
The Washington Constitution stipulates that no commission member may have been an elected official or party officer in the two-year period prior to his or her appointment. Individuals who have registered with the state as lobbyists within the past year are also prohibited from serving on the commission.[16]
The Washington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.[16]
The state constitution requires that congressional and state legislative districts "should be contiguous, compact, and convenient, and follow natural, geographic, artificial, or political subdivision boundaries." The constitution states that the redistricting commission "must not purposely draw plans to favor or discriminate against any political party or group."[16]
State statutes require that congressional and state legislative districts "preserve areas recognized as communities of interest." State statutes also require the commission to draw districts that "provide fair and effective representation" and "encourage electoral competition."[16]
2020
The Washington House approved final state legislative map proposals on February 2, 2022, and the Senate approved the legislative plan on February 8, 2022 in a 35-14 vote.[17]Washington’s four redistricting commissioners each released their proposed state legislative maps on September 21, 2021. On November 16, 2021, the commission announced that it was not able to produce new maps by its November 15 deadline and had submitted plans to the Supreme Court for consideration, as authority to draw new maps passes to the court if the commission fails to agree on maps before the deadline. The court decided to accept the final map drafts the commission submitted, ruling that it had "substantially complied" with the deadline.[18] These maps took effect for Washington's 2022 legislative elections.
2010
Washington received its local census data on February 23, 2011. The state increased in population by 14.1 percent from 2000 to 2010. The major outlier was Franklin County, which jumped 58.4 percent. As far as the most populous cities, Seattle grew by 8.0 percent, Spokane grew by 6.8 percent, Tacoma grew by 2.5 percent, Vancouver grew by 12.7 percent, and Bellevue grew by 11.7 percent.[19]
The Commission released first draft maps on September 13, 2011. For the third time in a row, the Commission went down to the wire in agreeing on new legislative districts, finishing two hours and five minutes before New Year's Day 2012, at which point the Washington Supreme Court would have taken over. The Commission had mainly been concerned with the eastern districts and how to distribute Hispanic people in Yakima. The Legislature followed with tweaks, approving the final maps on January 27, 2012.
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $57,876/year | $190/day |
Swearing in dates
Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.[20]
History
The Washington State Legislature traces its ancestry to the creation of the Washington Territory in 1853, following successful arguments from settlers north of the Columbia River to the U.S. federal government to legally separate from the Oregon Territory. The Washington Territorial Assembly, as the newly-created area's bicameral legislature, convened the following year. The Legislature represented settlers from the Straits of Juan de Fuca to modern Montana.
Votes for women
From nearly the start of the territory, arguments over giving women the right to vote were present in legislative proceedings. Support among legislators stemmed from concerns over women deserving the right to vote and the belief that giving women suffrage would entice more Eastern women to immigrate to the remote and sparsely populated territory. In 1854, only six years after the Seneca Falls Convention, the issue was brought to a vote by the Legislature. Women's suffrage was defeated by a single vote.
In 1869, the Wyoming State Legislature would become the first body in the United States to grant women's suffrage.
The issue over female suffrage did not diminish. In 1883, the issue returned to the floor, this time with the Territorial Assembly successfully passing universal suffrage for women. It quickly became one of the most liberal voting laws in the nation, giving female African-American voters the voting franchise for the first time in the U.S. However, in 1887, the territorial Washington Supreme Court ruled the 1883 universal suffrage act as unconstitutional in Harland v. Washington. Another attempt by the Legislature to regrant universal female suffrage was again overturned in 1888.
After two failed voter referenda in 1889 and 1898, the now-Washington State Legislature approved full female voting rights in 1910.
Statehood
With more than two decades of pressure on federal authorities to authorize statehood, on February 22, 1889, the U.S. Congress passed the Enabling Act, signed into law by outgoing President Grover Cleveland, authorizing the territories of Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to form state governments. The Territorial Assembly set out to convene a constitutional convention to write a state constitution.
Following its successful passage by the Legislature, Washington voters approved the new document on October 1. On November 11, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison authorized Washington to become the 42nd state of United States. It was the last West Coast state of the Continental U.S. to achieve statehood. The modern Washington State Legislature was created.
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Washington Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Washington State Senate for 16 years while the Republicans were the majority for six years.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Washington House: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Washington State House of Representatives for 15 years while the Republicans were the majority for four years.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican state houses from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Washington, the Washington State Senate and the Washington House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Washington state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. During the course of the study, Washington had a number of Democratic trifectas. The state experienced both high and low rankings during the years with Democratic trifectas. Its highest ranking overall, finishing eighth, occurred in 1998 during a divided government.
Joint Committees
- See also: Public policy in Washington
The Washington State Legislature utilizes joint legislative committees, work groups, task forces, and legislative agencies. Details on those groups can be found on the Legislature website.
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Washington Constitution can be amended:
The Washington Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Washington requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Legislature
According to Article XXIII, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. In Washington, a referred constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber of the Washington State Legislature during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 66 votes in the Washington House of Representatives and 33 votes in the Washington State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Article XXIII of the Washington State Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Washington State Legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. If a simple majority of voters approve the question, then the legislature needs to call for a convention during its next session.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.
- See also: Washington 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
No measures to list
See also
| Elections | Washington State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar 2018," accessed September 19, 2017
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar 2018," accessed September 19, 2017
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Visiting the Legislature," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Washington Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Washington," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ The Seattle Times, "Gov. Inslee signs $43.7 billion state budget; 11th-hour deal averts shutdown," June 30, 2017
- ↑ King5, "Property tax increase for some, lower for others under state budget," July 1, 2017
- ↑ King5, "Gov. Inslee signs $43.7 billion state budget," June 30, 2017
- ↑ q13fox.com, "‘There’s no break, no rest,’ Inslee says as he vetoes 27 bills, calls lawmakers back into immediate special session," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ washingtontimes.com, "The Latest: Washington Legislature adjourns special session," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ washingtonstatewire.com, "Session Set to Open in ‘Bizarro World’ – Supreme Court Decision Turns Everything Upside Down," January 13, 2014
- ↑ The Spokesman Review, "Budget remains pressing issue in new legislative session," January 13, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 All About Redistricting, "Washington," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "HCR 4407 - 2021-22," accessed February 9, 2022
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "State Senate passes changes to redistricting process as House approves final maps with changes," February 2, 2022
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Washington's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," February 23, 2011
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 44.04.021 Commencement of terms of office," accessed February 17, 2021
| |||||||||||
