Washington State Legislature
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
- Washington State Senate
- Washington House of Representatives
- Washington State Capitol
- Governor of Washington
- Legislative district
- Olympia, Washington
Categories[edit | edit source]
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