Joint rules
The House and Senate both vote to adopt joint rules that govern processes that affect both chambers.
Adoption date
January 13, 2025
Resolution
Preface
BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the following be adopted as the Joint Rules of the Sixty-Ninth Legislature:
JOINT RULES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SIXTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE
Chapters
- Rule 1. Ethics
- Rule 2. Prohibited political activity
- Rule 3. Legislative code of conduct
- Rule 4. Employee protection
- Rule 5. Sessions of the legislature
- Rule 6. Joint session
- Rule 7. Motions for joint session
- Rule 8. Business limited
- Rule 9. Joint legislative committees
- Rule 10. Joint committee meetings
- Rule 11. Joint and concurrent resolutions: Memorials
- Rule 12. Amendatory bills
- Rule 13. Bills, how drawn
- Rule 14. Amendments to state Constitution: Action by legislature
- Rule 15. Publicity of proposed amendments to state Constitution
- Rule 16. Initiative petition before the legislature
- Rule 17. Conference committee
- Rule 18. Failure to agree
- Rule 19. Report of conference committee, how made out; whom returned to
- Rule 20. Adoption of reports
- Rule 21. Messages between the two houses
- Rule 22. Bills to be engrossed
- Rule 23. Final action on bills, how communicated
- Rule 24. Enrolled bills - presiding officer to sign
- Rule 25. Disposition of enrolled bills
- Rule 26. Adjournment
- Rule 27. Adjournment sine die
- Rule 28. Each house judge of its own membership
- Rule 29. Convening special legislative sessions
- Rule 30. Convening special legislative sessions solely to reconsider vetoed bills
- Rule 31. Amendments to joint rules
- Rule 32. Joint rules to apply for biennium
Rule 1. Ethics
Legislators and legislative employees are subject to the provisions of the Ethics in Public Service Act, chapter 42.52 RCW. The house of representatives and senate may impose disciplinary action for violations of the act. Disciplinary actions for violation include: In the case of a legislator, reprimand, censure, or expulsion, and when applicable, restitution; and in the case of a legislative employee, reprimand, suspension, or dismissal, and when applicable, restitution.