The Senate consists of 49 individuals, who serve for 4-year terms. Each Senator lives in and represents 1 legislative district consisting of about 157,000 people. Senator's terms are staggered: Voters elect about half of the Senators in every even-numbered year's election. Each Senator serves on several committees which meet frequently during session to discuss proposed laws and hear input from the public. The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Senate and presides over the Senate during floor sessions in the Senate chamber.
Pursuant to the Washington Constitution, the Legislature meets in Olympia for a legislative session every year, beginning the second Monday in January. In odd-numbered years, the legislative session lasts 105 days, and in even-numbered years, it lasts 60 days.
Contact
Office of the Secretary of the Senate
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Senate members and staff
Caucuses
The Democratic and Republican caucuses each have their own websites. Please refer to those sites for information relating to each caucus.
Today's activity in the Senate
See current and upcoming debates, votes, and activities in the Senate.
No floor sessions to display.
Senate committee activity
Thursday, December 12, 2024
| Time | Chamber | Committee | Location | Agenda | View docs | View video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Senate | Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks | SHR 3 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 8:00 AM | Senate | State Government & Elections | SHR 2 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 10:30 AM | Senate | Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade | SHR 2 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 10:30 AM | Senate | Health & Long Term Care | SHR 4 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 1:30 PM | Senate | Human Services | SHR 2 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 1:30 PM | Senate | Labor & Commerce | SHR 1 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 1:30 PM | Senate | Law & Justice | SHR 4 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 4:00 PM | Senate | Transportation | SHR 1 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
| 4:00 PM | Senate | Ways & Means | SHR 4 and Virtual | Agenda | View docs | View video |
Time: 8:00 AM Chamber: Senate Committee: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Location: SHR 3 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 8:00 AM Chamber: Senate Committee: State Government & Elections Location: SHR 2 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 10:30 AM Chamber: Senate Committee: Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Location: SHR 2 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 10:30 AM Chamber: Senate Committee: Health & Long Term Care Location: SHR 4 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 1:30 PM Chamber: Senate Committee: Human Services Location: SHR 2 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 1:30 PM Chamber: Senate Committee: Labor & Commerce Location: SHR 1 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 1:30 PM Chamber: Senate Committee: Law & Justice Location: SHR 4 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 4:00 PM Chamber: Senate Committee: Transportation Location: SHR 1 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Time: 4:00 PM Chamber: Senate Committee: Ways & Means Location: SHR 4 and Virtual Agenda: Agenda View docs: View docs View video: View video |
Senate committees
Committees hold public hearings on bills, vote in executive sessions, and study issues in work sessions. Committees are divided by topics, and bills are generally referred to the most relevant committee.