The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body with 49 members in the Senate and 98 members in the House of Representatives. Each district is served by one Senator and two House members.

The citizen Legislature meets annually on the second Monday in January in the ornate Capitol building in Olympia. In odd-numbered years -- the budget year -- the Legislature meets for 105 days, and in even-numbered years for 60 days. If necessary, the Governor can call legislators in for a special session for a 30-day period. Legislators can call themselves into special session with a two-thirds vote of the two bodies.

Members of the Senate are elected to four-year terms, and House members are elected to two-year terms.