House rules
The Washington State House rules establish procedures and protocols for conducting legislative business in the House of Representatives. These rules provide the framework for how bills are processed, committees operate, and representatives conduct official business.
Preface
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That permanent House rules for the Sixty-ninth Legislature be adopted as follows:
PERMANENT RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SIXTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE 2025-2026
Rule 5 . Chief Clerk
The chief clerk shall perform the usual duties pertaining to the office, and shall hold office until a successor has been elected.
The chief clerk shall perform all administrative duties related to the public records obligations of members of the house.
The chief clerk shall employ, subject to the approval of the speaker, all other house employees; the hours of duty and assignments of all house employees shall be under the chief clerk's directions and instructions, and they may be dismissed by the chief clerk with the approval of the speaker. The speaker shall sign and the chief clerk shall countersign all payrolls and vouchers for all expenses of the house and appropriately transmit the same. In the event of the chief clerk's death, illness, removal, or inability to act, the speaker may appoint an acting chief clerk who shall exercise the duties and powers of the chief clerk until the chief clerk's successor shall be elected.