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
Chapters
- 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 25. Standing Committees
The standing committees of the house and the number of members that shall serve on each committee shall be as follows:
| Committee | Members |
|---|---|
| Agriculture & Natural Resources | 11 |
| Appropriations | 31 |
| Capital Budget | 29 |
| Civil Rights & Judiciary | 11 |
| Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry | 9 |
| Consumer Protection & Business | 13 |
| Education | 15 |
| Environment & Energy | 15 |
| Finance | 13 |
| Health Care & Wellness | 17 |
| Housing | 13 |
| Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning | 11 |
| Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans | 15 |
| Labor & Workplace Standards | 9 |
| Local Government | 7 |
| Postsecondary Education & Workforce | 15 |
| Regulated Substances & Gaming | 11 |
| Rules | 24 |
| State Government & Tribal Relations | 7 |
| Transportation | 29 |
Committee members shall be selected by each party's caucus. The majority party caucus shall select all committee chairs. “Committee chair” includes committee cochair