ENCYCLOREADER
KSFWashington State Legislature
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 71 min
| Washington State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 11, 2021 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Denny Heck (D) |
| House Speaker: | Laurie Jinkins (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Andy Billig (D) House: Pat Sullivan (Washington) (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: John Braun (R) House: J.T. Wilcox (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 49 (Senate), 98 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art II, Section 2, Washington Constitution |
| Salary: | $56,881/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 3, 2020 |
| Next election: | November 8, 2022 |
| 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[edit]
2022[edit]
Elections for the Washington State Senate will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary is scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline is May 20, 2022.
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary is scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline is May 20, 2022.
2020[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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]
2021[edit]
In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on April 25, 2021.
2020[edit]
In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on March 12, 2020.
[edit]
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| Coronavirus pandemic |
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
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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]
In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 28, 2019.
2018[edit]
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.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | ||
|---|---|---|
2017[edit]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.
2016[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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.[11] 2013[edit]
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.[12] 2012[edit]
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 9 through March 8. 2011[edit]
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 through April 24.[13] 2010[edit]
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[edit]
- See also: Washington state budget and finances
Washington on 
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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 44 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[edit]
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators. Each member represented an average of 137,236 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[16] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 120,288.[17]
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[edit]
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[edit]
| Party | As of November 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 29 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the Washington State Senate fluctuated between the Democratic and Republican parties. Between 2012 and 2018, the chamber also saw a governing coalition involving the Republican caucus and members of the Democratic Party. The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. 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 Party Control: 1992-2020
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 28 | 25 | 23 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 29 |
| Republicans | 21 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 24* | 20 | 20 |
*A Democrat caucused with Republicans, giving the Republican Party a one-member majority.
From 1992 to 2004, the Democratic and Republican parties both claimed relatively small majorities, the largest being from 1992 to 1994 and 1998 to 2000 when Democrats had seven-member majorites. The Democratic majority spiked following the 2006 election when the party managed to flip six seats, giving Democrats a 32-17 majority. The Democratic majority in the state Senate steadily decreased between 2010 and 2016, expanding again in 2018. In 2014, Republicans established a numerical majority in the chamber, their first since 2002.
It was during this period—2012 to 2016—that the state Senate saw the emergence of governing coalitions. Following the 2012 elections, Democrats in the Washington Senate had a 26-23 majority. Two Democrats, however, joined with all 23 Senate Republicans to create a 25-24 coalition majority. The two Democrats, Tim Sheldon and Rodney Tom, became president pro tempore and majority leader, respectively.[18] Republicans had a 25-24 majority without the coalition in 2015 and 2016. Republican Pam Roach, with the help of Democrats and Republicans, won the president pro tempore position in 2015.[19] In the 2016 election, that majority flipped to the Democrats, but, because of Sheldon, Republicans were able to maintain a slim 25-24 majority. On January 6, 2017, Republicans announced plans to back Sheldon for president pro tempore. In the Washington Senate, the lieutenant governor is the presiding officer and casts votes in cases of ties. The president pro tempore, a regular voting member of the chamber, presides in the lieutenant governor's absence and generally serves as vice chair of the Senate Rules Committee.[20][21] Democrats regained control of the chamber in a November 2017 special election.[22]
House of Representatives[edit]
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. Each member represented an average of 68,617 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[23] After the 2000 Census, each member represented an average of 60,144 residents.[24]
Leadership of the House[edit]
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[edit]
| Party | As of November 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 57 | |
| Republican Party | 41 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the Washington House of Representatives passed from Democratic to Republican control before swinging back to Democrats. The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington House of Representatives following every general election from 1992 to 2020. 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 Party Control: 1992-2020
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 66 | 40 | 45 | 49 | 49 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 64 | 57 | 55 | 51 | 50 | 57 | 57 |
| Republicans | 32 | 58 | 53 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 43 | 35 | 34 | 41 | 43 | 47 | 48 | 41 | 41 |
As a result of the 1992 elections, Democrats held a 66-32 majority. Republicans gained 26 seats and took control of the chamber in 1994. The Republican Party held the chamber until the 1998 elections, when the chamber moved to a split 49-49 balance. The split balance was maintained until Democrats regained the chamber in 2002. The Democratic majority expanded until 2008, when the party had a 20-seat advantage. The partisan balance of the state House narrowed after 2008 until, after the 2016 elections, the Democratic majority was reduced to 50-48. In 2018, House Democrats expanded their majority to 57-41. Democrats maintained that majority in 2020.
District maps[edit]
State Senate[edit]