Senate emergency parliamentary rules
Read the Senate emergency rules, which are in effect and in addition to the permanent Senate rules.
Adoption date
January 13, 2025
Senate Resolution(s)
Preface
WHEREAS, The Facilities and Operations Committee has the authority to determine whether physically convening all members and staff in a single location could present a danger to health or safety of the participants and requires continued operational changes to adhere to public health guidance during the 2025 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, Permanent Senate Rule 70 establishes a process by which the Senate will adopt a resolution establishing the rules and procedures to govern floor and committee action for such a legislative session;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, That the following be adopted as the Emergency Parliamentary Rules of the Sixty-Ninth Legislature:
EMERGENCY PARLIAMENTARY RULES OF THE SENATE
SIXTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE
2025
Section III. Committees
Rule G. Committee Procedures
(1) All committees will meet remotely, except that, after consultation with the President, the majority leader may choose to hold a Rules Committee meeting in person. A member shall be considered in attendance at a committee hearing if the member is participating through a remote access program established by the Secretary of the Senate as provided in Senate Rule 70.
(2) Committee voting will be done through recorded roll call votes with the results transmitted to the Secretary of the Senate via electronic means. Members must be present and visible to be eligible to vote during the executive session. Voting will not be allowed "subject to signatures."
(3) Electronic reports of standing committees must be received one hour prior to convening of the session in order to be read at said session. This requirement may be suspended by a majority of the Senate. This rule does not apply to reports of biennial or supplemental omnibus operating appropriations act, omnibus capital appropriations act, or omnibus transportation appropriations act bills.