Washington State Senate

Washington State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 9, 2017
Session end:	April 23, 2017
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem
Members
Total:	49
Democrats:	30
Republicans:	19
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Denny Heck (D)
Maj. Leader:	Jamie Pedersen (D)
Min. Leader:	John Braun (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Washington State Senate is the upper chamber of the Washington State Legislature. Alongside the Washington House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Washington state government and works alongside the governor of Washington to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Washington State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, voting on initiatives or referring them to the ballot, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Washington State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Olympia, Washington.

This page contains the following information on the Washington State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Washington State Senate as of September 2025:

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate but only votes in the event of a tie. In the absence of the lieutenant governor, the president pro tempore serves as the presiding officer. The president pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus but must also be confirmed by the entire Senate.^[1][2]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Denny Heck (D)
• President Pro Tem: Steve Conway (D)
• Majority leader: Jamie Pedersen (D)
• Minority leader: John Braun (R)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.^[4]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 7 of Article 2 of the Washington State Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not be a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter in the district for which he is chosen."^[5]

Historical party control[edit]

Democrats won control of the Washington State Senate in 2018. In 2024, they won a 30-19 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. 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.

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Washington was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1993-1994, 2002, 2005-2012, 2018-2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 1992, 1995-2001, 2003-2004, 2013-2017

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Washington state senators serve staggered four-year terms, with half of the chamber up for election every two years. Washington holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Washington State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is August 4, 2026. The filing deadline is May 8, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Washington State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 6, 2024. The filing deadline was May 10, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Washington State Senate to 30-19.

2022[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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.

Heading into the 2022 elections, Democrats held a 29-20 majority in the Washington State Senate. No change to the partisan balance of the chamber occurred in the election.

2020[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 29-20 majority. Democrats retained their 29-20 majority in the election.

2018[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Washington State Senate from 26-23 to 29-20.

2016[edit]

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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. A total of 26 seats out of the 49 seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election in 2016.

The Washington State Senate was one of 20 battleground chambers in 2016. Democrats gained a 25-24 majority as a result of the 2016 elections. However, Republicans maintained control of the chamber due to a Democratic senator who announced plans to caucus with Republicans.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate took place in 2014. The primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and the general election was held on November 4, 2014. The candidate filing deadline was May 17, 2014. A total of 25 seats out of the 49 seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election in 2014. The Washington State Senate was one of 20 state legislative battleground chambers in 2014. Although Democrats had a 25-24 majority going into the 2014 election, a coalition gave Republicans control of the chamber. After the election, Republicans gained an outright 25-24 majority. Washington State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 25 24      Republican Party 24 25 Total 49 49 Note: Although Democrats had a numerical majority going into the 2014 election, a coalition gave Republicans control of the chamber. 2012[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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 June 8, 2012. A total of 25 seats out of the 49 seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 27-22 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 26-23 majority. Washington State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 27 26      Republican Party 22 23 Total 49 49 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Washington State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 17 Don Benton 0.1% 54,998 Tim Probst District 10 Barbara Bailey 5.6% 71,588 Mary Margaret Haugen District 41 Steve Litzow 8.1% 69,048 Maureen Judge District 5 Mark Mullet 8.9% 67,548 Brad Toft District 20 John Braun 10.9% 54,018 Dan Swecker District 1 Rosemary McAuliffe 11% 67,248 Dawn McCravey District 2 Randi Becker 13.6% 56,232 Bruce Lachney District 27 Jeannie Darneille 14.6% 54,007 John Connelly District 39 Kirk Pearson 15.2% 58,052 Scott Olson District 3 Andy Billig 15.7% 51,185 Nancy McLaughlin 2010[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 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. A total of 25 seats out of the 49 seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election in 2010. Democrats entered the election with a 31-18 majority. In the election, Democrats lost four seats, giving them a 27-22 majority. Washington State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 31 27      Republican Party 18 22 Total 49 49 2008[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 19, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,822,733. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2008 Donors, Washington State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Washington $343,472 Washington State Republican Party $238,525 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte Of Washington $211,320 Washington State Democratic Party $125,536 Washington State Dental Association $42,000 Washington Beverage Association $36,900 Shannon, Ted $35,987 Pierce County Republican Party $33,879 Holland America Line $32,800 Washington Federation Of State Employees $32,200 2006[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,241,049. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2006 Donors, Washington State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte $351,479 Washington State Democratic Party $274,726 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte/SRCC $252,418 Oemig, Eric W $70,871 Marr, Christopher J $68,819 Benson Surplus Account, Brad $45,000 Washington Health Care Association $44,650 Washington State Dental Association $32,775 Washington Bankers Association $31,600 Tom, Rodney $30,400 2004[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,993,740. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2004 Donors, Washington State Senate Donor Amount Washington State Democratic Party $384,148 Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Washington $351,039 Washington State Republican Party $199,192 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte Of Washington $171,931 Weinstein, Brian D $59,456 Washington Restaurant Association $33,625 Washington State Auto Dealers Association $32,125 Washington State Dental Association $31,575 Puget Sound Energy $29,800 Pemco Mutual Insurance $28,800 2002[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,496,407. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2002 Donors, Washington State Senate Donor Amount Washington State Democratic Party $355,369 Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Washington $300,541 Washington State Republican Party $152,655 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte Of Washington $130,962 Public School Employees Of Washington Local 1948 $26,525 AT&T $23,100 Washington Society Of CPAs $21,625 Washington State Dental Association $21,275 Roosevelt Fund $21,250 42nd Leg District Democrats $21,000 2000[edit] See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 19, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,339,111. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2000 Donors, Washington State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte $257,475 Washington State Democratic Party $195,848 Washington State Republican Party $172,609 Senate Republican Camp Cmte $166,599 Clark County Democratic Central Cmte $34,295 Washington State Auto Dealers $28,375 Public School Employees Of Washington Local 1948 $24,300 Washington Federation Of State Employees $24,200 Washington Education Association $23,814 Washington Restaurant Association $23,010

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Washington State Legislature, the board of county commissioners where the vacant seat is located has the responsibility to select a replacement. The county central committee of the political party that last held the seat must submit a list of three candidates to the board of county commissioners representing the vacant district. If the vacancy occurs in the office of a joint senator or joint representative, the state central committee is responsible for submitting the list of three candidates. A selection must be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurred. The person appointed will hold the seat until his or her successor is elected at the next general or special election in November.^[14]

See sources: Washington Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15

District map[edit]

See also: Washington state legislative districts

The state of Washington has 49 legislative districts. Senators are elected from the same legislative districts as are members of the Washington House of Representatives. Each district elects two representatives but only one senator. Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

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.^[15]

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.^[15]

The Washington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.^[15]

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."^[15]

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."^[15]

2020-2024[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Washington after the 2020 census

On March 15, 2024, Judge Robert Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the state to adopt a new legislative map named Remedial Map 3B that complies with the Voting Rights Act. Judge Lasnik ordered Washington to redraw a legislative district in the Yakima Valley region because its boundaries undermined the ability of Latino voters to participate equally in elections. According to the district court's decision:^[16][17]

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

This map took effect for Washington's 2022 legislative elections.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Washington after the 2010 census

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 grew 58.4 percent. The largest cities had the following growth rates: 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 the first draft maps on September 13, 2011. For the third time in a row, the Commission worked up to their deadline, finishing two hours and five minutes before January 1, 2012, at which point the Washington Supreme Court would have taken over. The Commission was primarily concerned with the eastern districts and how to distribute Hispanic people in Yakima. The Legislature made tweaks to the plan and approved the final maps on January 27, 2012.

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Washington State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Washington by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025, and adjourn on April 27, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on March 7, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on April 23, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on March 10, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on April 25, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on March 12, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit 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. 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 28, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Washington legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 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. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 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. Click [show] to read about the 2017 state budget conflict. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed into law a two-year $43.7 billion operating budget at 11:00 pm on June 30, allowing the state to enter into the 2018 fiscal year on July 1 with a spending plan in place. Without it, Washington would have experienced its first-ever partial government shutdown.[20] Budget negotiations in Washington throughout 2017 centered largely on the issue of funding education. In 2012, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state was underfunding education and required the legislature to ensure full funding for K-12 education by 2018. Inslee and Democratic lawmakers in the state proposed tax increases to bolster funding for education, while Republican lawmakers argued that the state could meet most of the requirements of the 2012 state Supreme Court ruling without significant tax increases throughout the state as a whole. The final budget agreement provided an additional $7.3 billion for education funding in the state between 2018 and 2021 and included a Republican-backed plan to increase property taxes in areas such as King County, where the city of Seattle is located. An analysis of the plan showed that residents in 185 school districts would see property taxes decreases over the next four years, while 100 districts would property taxes increase. The House supported the bill 70-23, while the Senate supported it 39-10.[21][22] 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions 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.[23][24] 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions 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.[25] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 13 through March 14. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major 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.[26] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to April 29. Major issues in 2013[edit] Throughout 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.[27] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 9 through March 8. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 through April 24.[28] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions 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.[29]

About legislative sessions in Washington[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[30] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article II of the Washington Constitution establishes when the Washington State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 12 of Article II allows the dates of regular sessions to be determined by statute. Section 12 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.^[31]

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, initiatives to the legislature, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

Veto overrides[edit]

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.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority: Article III, Section 12 of the Washington Constitution.

Initiatives to the legislature[edit]

Initiative to the Legislature (Washington)

Twenty-six (26) states have a process for statewide citizen initiative or veto referendum, and Washington is one of those states. Initiative to the Legislature is the name of indirect initiated state statutes in the state of Washington; an indirect initiative is one that goes to the legislature and only then to the ballot if the legislature does not approve it. Washington is one of the nine states with a process for indirect initiatives and one of two states that have both direct and indirect initiated state statutes; direct initiated state statutes—which go directly to the people without going to the legislature first—are called Initiatives to the People in Washington.

Upon the submission and verification of enough signatures, Initiatives to the Legislature go before the Washington Legislature at its next regular legislative session in January. The legislature must take one of three actions:

• The legislature can adopt the initiative as proposed, in which case it becomes law without a vote of the people.
• The legislature can reject or refuse to act on the proposed initiative, in which case the initiative must be placed on the ballot at the next state general election.
• The legislature can approve an alternative to the proposed initiative, in which case both the original proposal and the legislature's alternative must be placed on the ballot at the next state general election.

Besides Initiatives to the Legislature, Washington citizens may initiate Initiatives to the People. These initiatives are direct initiatives, meaning that groups collect signatures and once enough valid signatures are collected, election officials place the measure on the next general election ballot for a vote.

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Washington state budget and finances

Washington on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[32]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in June.
2. State agency budget requests are submitted between August and September.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the Washington State Legislature on or before December 20.
4. The legislature adopts a budget between April and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
5. The biennial budget cycle begins in July.

Washington is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[32][33]

The governor is required by statute to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. Likewise, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.^[32]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Washington state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Washington State Senate has 14 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

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:

See also: Article XXIII of the Washington State Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Washington

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[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

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[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

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.

See also[edit]

Elections	Washington State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Washington State Senate elections, 2024 Washington State Senate elections, 2022 Washington State Senate elections, 2020 Washington State Senate elections, 2018	Washington State Legislature Washington House of Representatives Governor of Washington Washington State Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Washington State Senate

Footnotes[edit]

v • e State legislatures Legislatures Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S) 2025 State legislative elections (2025) • State legislative special elections (2025) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2025 Session Dates 2024 State legislative elections (2024) • State legislative special elections (2024) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2024 Session Dates 2023 State legislative elections (2023) • State legislative special elections (2023) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2023 Session Dates Historical elections 2022 •  2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000 Features of state legislatures How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections State senates Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected State houses Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected Leadership positions President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House

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