Washington State Legislature

The_Washington_State_Capitol

The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bicameral body composed of the Washington State Senate and the Washington House of Representatives. The Legislature convenes at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia.

Structure

The Washington State Legislature consists of two chambers:

• The Washington State Senate, which is the upper house, composed of 49 members, each representing a legislative district.
• The Washington House of Representatives, which is the lower house, composed of 98 members, with each legislative district electing two representatives.

Sessions

The Legislature meets annually in regular sessions, which begin on the second Monday in January. In odd-numbered years, the regular session lasts 105 days, while in even-numbered years, it lasts 60 days. Special sessions can be called by the Governor or by a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in Washington follows several steps: 1. **Introduction**: A bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. 2. **Committee Review**: The bill is referred to a committee for study and recommendation. 3. **Floor Debate**: If approved by the committee, the bill is debated on the floor of the originating chamber. 4. **Voting**: The bill is voted on by the full chamber. If it passes, it moves to the other chamber for consideration. 5. **Governor's Approval**: If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the Governor for approval or veto.

Leadership

The leadership of the Washington State Legislature includes:

• The President of the Washington State Senate, who is the Lieutenant Governor of Washington.
• The Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives, elected by the members of the House.

Committees

The Legislature operates through a system of standing committees, each focusing on specific areas such as education, health care, transportation, and budget.

Elections and Terms

Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every two years. Representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years.

Related Pages

• Washington State Senate
• Washington House of Representatives
• Washington State Capitol
• Governor of Washington
• Legislative district
• Olympia, Washington