Get help developing the skills you need to make a difference advocating for (or against) a piece of legislation in this complimentary online class, Influencing Olympia Effectively.
The Washington Legislature Website provides educational information to help citizens learn how government works and how to get active. We encourage you to explore and learn. And like everything else — you’ll learn more once you become actively engaged.
Committee Schedules, Agendas, and Documents
Committee meetings you may filter by date, chamber, and committee and view by schedule, agenda, or bill.
Bill Information
Search for bills by number, key words, and many other means.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
For more information, see How to Participate in the Lawmaking Process, Educational Resources, and Civic Education Programs.
- A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives by a member.
It is referred to a committee for a hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on it. It can then pass, reject, or take no action on the bill.- The committee report on the passed bill is read in open session of the House or Senate, and the bill is then referred to the Rules Committee.
- The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the second reading calendar for debate before the entire body, or take no action.
- At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar for final passage.
- After passing one chamber, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other chamber.
- If amendments are made in the other chamber, the first chamber must approve the changes.
- When the bill is accepted in both chambers, it is signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor.
- The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law without a signature.”
Getting Your Opinions to Your Legislators
Find Your Legislators
To find which legislators represent you, click on the District Finder and enter your address. A list of your Washington State Representatives and Senator will be returned. You can use the District Finder to view your federal congressional members as well.Email Your Legislators
If you prefer email, you may use the website’s email forms to send messages to your legislators at any time. From the Send an Email Message to Your Legislator page, click your legislator’s name to go to the email form.Send Bill Comments
If you would like to send a message to your legislators regarding a specific bill, you may use the Bill Comments form accessible from each individual Bill Summary web page. After entering the bill number, click Search, and select Send a Comment on This Bill to get started.Office Addresses and Phone Numbers
Legislator phone numbers and office addresses are available on the individual member pages, which you can locate by photo, member list, committee, or county HERE.Toll-Free Hotline
Do you want to get a message to your Senator or Representative? Contact the Legislative Information Center hotline at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for hearing impaired 800.833.6388). Callers can leave a brief message for their legislators or for the governor on issues of concern or on questions they may have about bills or laws. These messages are forwarded electronically to the appropriate individuals. When leaving a message with the hotline, be prepared to give your name and street address. Interpreter services are offered for many non-English languages.The hotline staff also fulfills requests for bills and other legislative documents and can answer questions about meeting times and places, pending legislation, and the legislative process.
