Senate hearing room rules

The public is welcome in Senate hearing rooms to watch their lawmakers in action and participate in the development of legislation. The legislative rules adopted by the Senate require basic order and decorum, a long-standing approach consistent with the important work being performed here. This requirement applies both to elected officials and members of the public.

The Lieutenant Governor maintains order and decorum in the hearing rooms under the following rules.

Prohibited:

• Signs or props
• Open-carried weapons
• Audible or visual signals, including whistling, calling, chanting, or waving
• Animals, other than service animals
• Applause or demonstrations
• Food
• Unattended children
• Loud, disruptive conversations

Before entering the hearing room:

• Silence cell phones and other electronic devices
• Remove hats

Senate Security monitors and enforces the hearing room rules. The Senate gallery rules are similar. Please call Senate Security at 360-786-7572 with any questions. 

The Senate does not accept paper handouts. You may submit written testimony and PDF attachments the following ways:

• Through the online portal from the time the agenda is published until 24 hours after the meeting's start time (preferred)
• If outside of the online submission period, email your written testimony to all committee members and committee staff

Please do not attempt to give staff any paper documents; they will not be accepted.