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 29. Suspension of Compensation
(1) Any member of the House of Representatives convicted and sentenced for any felony punishable by death or by imprisonment in a Washington state penal institution shall, as of the time of sentencing, be denied the legislative salary for future service and be denied per diem, compensation for expenses, office space facilities, and assistance. Any member convicted of a felony and sentenced therefor under any federal law or the law of any other state shall, as of the time of sentencing, be similarly denied such salary, per diem, expenses, facilities, and assistance if either (a) such crime would also constitute a crime punishable under the laws of Washington by death or by imprisonment in a state penal institution, or (b) the conduct resulting in the conviction and sentencing would also constitute a crime punishable under the laws of Washington by death or by imprisonment in a state penal institution.
(2) At any time, the house may vote by a constitutional majority to restore the salary, per diem, expenses, facilities, and assistance denied a member under subsection (1). If the conviction of a member is reversed, then the salary, per diem, and expense amounts denied the member since sentencing shall be forthwith paid, and the member shall thereafter have the rights and privileges of other members.