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 8. Admission to the House
It shall be the general policy of the house to keep the chamber clear as follows:
(A) The sergeant at arms shall admit only the following individuals to the wings and adjacent areas of the house chamber for the period of time beginning one-half hour prior to convening and ending one-half hour following the adjournment of the house's daily session:
The governor;
Members of the senate;
State elected officials;
Officers and authorized employees of the legislature;
Former members of the house who are not advocating any pending or proposed legislation;
Representatives of the press;
Other persons with the consent of the speaker.
(B) Only members of the house, pages, sergeants at arms, the speaker's attorney, the leadership counsel to the minority caucus, and clerks are permitted on the floor while the house is in session.
(C) Lobbying in the house chamber or in any committee room or lounge room is prohibited when the house or committee is in session unless expressly permitted by the house or committee. Anyone violating this rule will forfeit their right to be admitted to the house chamber or any of its committee rooms.