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(s)
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
Rule 16. Initiative petition before the legislature
Initiative petitions filed with the secretary of state not less than 10 days before any regular session of the legislature shall take precedence over all other measures in the legislature except appropriation bills and shall be either enacted or rejected without change or amendment by the legislature before the end of such regular session. Upon certification from the secretary of state that an initiative to the legislature has received sufficient valid signatures, the secretary of state shall submit certified copies of the said initiative to the state senate and the house of representatives. Upon receipt of said initiative, each body of the legislature through its presiding officers shall refer the certified copies of the initiative to a proper committee.
Upon receipt of a committee report on an initiative to the legislature, each house shall treat the measure in the same manner as bills, memorials and resolutions, except that initiatives cannot be placed on the calendar for amendment. After the action of each body has been recorded on the final passage or any other action by resolution or otherwise which may refer the initiative to the people has been recorded, the president and secretary of the senate and the speaker and chief clerk of the house of representatives will certify, each for its own body, to the secretary of state the action taken. (Const., art. 2, sec. 1a.)