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-Eighth Legislature be adopted as follows:
PERMANENT RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE 2023-2024
- Rule 1. Definitions
- Rule 2. Chief Clerk to Call to Order
- Rule 3. Election of Officers
- Rule 4. Powers and Duties of the Speaker
- Rule 5 . Chief Clerk
- Rule 6. Executive Rules Committee
- Rule 7. Duties of Employees
- Rule 8. Admission to the House
- Rule 9. Absentees and Courtesy
- Rule 10. Bills, Memorials and Resolutions - Introductions
- Rule 11. Reading of Bills
- Rule 12. Amendments
- Rule 13. Final Passage
- Rule 14. Hour of Meeting, Roll Call and Quorum
- Rule 15. Daily Calendar and Order of Business
- Rule 16. Motions
- Rule 17. Remote Participation and Voting Permitted Upon Authorization
- Rule 18. Members' Right to Debate
- Rule 19. Rules of Debate
- Rule 20. Ending of Debate - Previous Question
- Rule 21. Voting
- Rule 22. Reconsideration
- Rule 23. Call of the House
- Rule 24. Appeal from Decision of Chair
- Rule 25. Standing Committees
- Rule 26. Duties of Committees
- Rule 27. Standing Committees - Expenses - Subpoena Power
- Rule 28. Vetoed Bills
- Rule 29. Suspension of Compensation
- Rule 30. Smoking and Vaping
- Rule 31. Liquor
- Rule 32. Parliamentary Rules
- Rule 33. Standing Rules Amendment
- Rule 34. Rules to Apply for Assembly
- Rule 35. Legislative Publications
- Rule 36. Emergency Resolution Authorized
Rule 15. Daily Calendar and Order of Business
The rules relating to the daily calendar and order of business are as follows:
(A) DAILY CALENDAR. Business of the house shall be disposed of in the following order:
- First: Roll call, presentation of colors, prayer, and approval of the journal of the preceding day.
- Second: Introduction of visiting dignitaries.
- Third: Messages from the senate, governor, and other state officials.
- Fourth: Introduction and first reading of bills, memorials, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions.
- Fifth: Committee reports.
- Sixth: Second reading of bills.
- Seventh: Third reading of bills.
- Eighth: Floor resolutions and motions.
- Ninth: Presentation of petitions, memorials, and remonstrances addressed to the Legislature.
- Tenth: Introduction of visitors and other business to be considered.
- Eleventh: Announcements.
(B) UNFINISHED BUSINESS. The unfinished business at which the house was engaged preceding adjournment shall not be taken up until reached in regular order, unless the previous question on such unfinished business has been ordered prior to said adjournment.
(C) EXCEPTIONS. Exceptions to the order of business are as follows:
- (1) The order of business may be changed by a majority vote of those present.
- (2) By motion under the eighth order of business, a bill in the rules committee may be placed on the calendar by the affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the house.
- (3) House resolutions and messages from the senate, governor, or other state officials may be read at any time.