Washington State Legislature
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	None
Session start:	January 12, 2026
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Denny Heck (D)
House Speaker:	Laurie Jinkins (D)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Jamie Pedersen (D) House:Joe Fitzgibbon (D)
Minority Leader:	Senate:John Braun (R) House:Drew Stokesbary (R)
Structure
Members:	49 (Senate), 98 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art II, Section 2, Washington Constitution
Salary:	$60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Washington State Redistricting Commission has control

TheWashington State Legislature is thestate legislature ofWashington. It is abicameral body, composed of the lowerWashington House of Representatives, with 98 representatives, and the upperWashington 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. TheGovernor 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 Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Washington House of Representatives,Washington State Senate,Washington Governor

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 of157,468 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented137,824 residents.

Senators serve four-year terms, withoutterm 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 rejectgubernatorial 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

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Washington State Senate in 2018. In2024, 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'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

House of Representatives

The Washington House of Representatives is thelower 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 withoutterm limits.

As of the 2020 Census, Washington state representatives represented an average of78,734 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented68,912 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

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Washington House of Representatives in 2002. In2024, they won a 59-39 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Washington House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Elections

2026

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2026 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theWashington State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 4, 2026. The filing deadline isMay 8, 2026.

Elections for theWashington House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 4, 2026. The filing deadline isMay 8, 2026.

2024

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2024 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theWashington State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 6, 2024. The filing deadline wasMay 10, 2024.

Elections for theWashington House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 6, 2024. The filing deadline wasMay 10, 2024.

2022

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2022 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theWashington 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 theWashington 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

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2020 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofWashington 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 ofWashington 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

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2018 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theWashington State Senate took place in 2018. Atop-two primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMay 18, 2018.^[1]

Elections for theWashington House of Representatives took place in 2018. Atop-two primary election took place on August 7, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMay 18, 2018.^[2]

2016

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2016 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theWashington 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 theWashington 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

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2014 andWashington House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for 25 districts in theWashington State Senate took place in 2014. Ablanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014.

Elections for theWashington House of Representatives took place in 2014. Ablanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014.

2012

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2012 andWashington House of Representatives 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 onNovember 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 onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2012.

2010

See also:Washington State Senate elections, 2010 andWashington House of Representatives 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 onNovember 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 onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2010.

Sessions

This image shows the state capitol under construction in the 1920s.

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 theGovernor 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]

2025

See also:2025 Washington legislative session andDates 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 See also:2024 Washington legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on March 7, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Washington legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on April 23, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Washington legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on March 10, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Washington legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on April 25, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Washington legislative session andDates 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 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 See also:2019 Washington legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 28, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Washington legislative session andDates 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, clickhere. 2017 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.[5] Budget negotiations in Washington throughout 2017 centered largely on the issue of funding education. In 2012, theWashington 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 asKing County, where the city ofSeattle 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.[6][7] 2016 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.[8][9] 2015 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.[10] 2014 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 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 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 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 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 9 through March 8. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 through April 24.[13] 2010 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.[14]

Role in state budget

See also:Washington state budget and finances

Washingtonon

Check outBallotpedia 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:^[15]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJune.
2. State agency budget requests are submitted betweenAugust and September.
3. Thegovernor submits his or her proposed budget to theWashington State Legislature on or beforeDecember 20.
4. The legislature adopts a budget betweenApril and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
5. The biennial budget cycle begins inJuly.

Washington is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[15][16]

The governor is required by statute to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. Likewise, the legislature must pass a balanced budget.^[15]

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.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article III, Section 12 of theWashington Constitution.

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 byconstitutional amendment in 1983. The majority and minority leaders of theWashington State Senate andWashington 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, theWashington Supreme Court must appoint one.^[17]

TheWashington 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.^[17]

TheWashington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.^[17]

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."^[17]

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."^[17]

2020-2024

See also:Redistricting in Washington after the 2020 census

On March 15, 2024, JudgeRobert Lasnik of theU.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the state to adopt a new legislative map namedRemedial Map 3B that complies with theVoting 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:^[18][19]

On August 10, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington struck down the state's legislative maps, which were drawn by the bipartisan state Redistricting Commission in 2021, after finding that they discriminate against Latino voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act. At the time, the 15th district encompassed parts of five counties in south-central Washington and was represented by three Republicans.^[18]

“The question in this case is whether the state has engaged in line-drawing which, in combination with the social and historical conditions in the Yakima Valley region, impairs the ability of Latino voters in that area to elect their candidate of choice on an equal basis with other voters. The answer is yes,” Judge Lasnik wrote in the district court's 32-page decision.^[18]

2010

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 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.^[21]

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 theWashington 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

Swearing in dates

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

Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.^[23]

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Washington

Partisan breakdown of the Washington legislature from 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 theOffice of the Governor of Washington, theWashington State Senate and theWashington House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

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.

Chart displaying the partisanship of the Washington government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

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 theLegislature 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 forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Washington Constitution can be amended:

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

TheWashington 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

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XXIII, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide.In Washington, a referred constitutional amendment requires atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber of theWashington State Legislature during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 66 votes in theWashington House of Representatives and 33 votes in theWashington State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XXIII of theWashington State Constitution, atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for theWashington 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

Elections	Washington State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Washington elections, 2024 Washington elections, 2022 Washington elections, 2020 Washington elections, 2018	Washington State Senate 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

• Washington State Legislature

Footnotes