Know Your Legislature

This section is designed to help you understand and participate in the legislative process. People sometimes confuse the Washington State Legislature in Olympia, Washington with the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. The lawmaking process is similar to that of Congress, the Washington State Legislature only passes laws applicable within the state of Washington.

 

What are Legislative Districts?

There are 49 Legislative districts in Washington State. You live in one of these districts along with approximately 137,000 other people. The residents of each district elect one Senator and two Representatives to the Legislature. New district boundary lines are redrawn every 10 years after the Census. The shapes of the districts may be changed to reflect changes in the population. This is why western Washington has more districts than eastern Washington—there are simply more people on the west side to be represented!

The first step in participating in the legislative process is learning who represents you in Olympia. The online District Finder can easily help you find out who your state representatives are.

 

Overview of the Legislative Process

The Washington State Legislature is made up of two houses (or chambers), the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Washington has 49 legislative districts, each of which elects a Senator and two Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and Representatives serve two-year terms. The Senate and House of Representatives meet in session each year to create new laws, change existing laws, and enact budgets for the State.

The members of the House and Senate offer legislation, or bills, for consideration. The ideas for bills come from a number of places: something has happened in the last year that inspires new legislation (for instance, the change in people's perception of crime gave rise to the youth violence bills that were offered during the 1994 Session), a member wishes to address an issue that is specific to his or her district, the Legislature decides to tackle a major issue (such as regulatory reform), changes in technology dictate a change in the State's laws, etc.

Once a member introduces a bill, the legislative process begins. The process has a number of specific steps. If the bill makes it through all the steps in the chamber in which it was introduced (the "first house"), it goes to the other chamber (or "second house") and goes through the same steps there. Each step is identified here.

 
 

You can take part in the legislative process!

Making your voice heard in Olympia is necessary to our democratic form of government. Legislators want to hear your opinion so being familiar with the process will help you become an effective advocate for our community.

 
 

Civic Engagement and Education

Civic education is important in the lives of our youth. The Legislative Youth Homepage is an excellent resource for teaching kids, teens, and college students how our government works.

Legislative Page Programs and Page School

Our state also has other unique learning opportunities such as the House and Senate Page programs. Only six other states in the country have page programs. Each week, the House and Senate provide pages the opportunity to take part in the legislative process and observe the Legislature and other branches of state government in action. The p​​ages, who are between 14-16 years old, help deliver documents and provide assistance the chamber during floor sessions, all while attending the Legislative Page School. Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process. 

Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the only nonpartisan youth-led committee empowered by state law to represent the official voice of Washington youth to the Legislature. It is entirely student-led, and co-administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Washington State Leadership Board.

Washington YMCA Youth & Government

For over 70 years, Youth & Government has been dedicated to transforming lives through civic engagement and education. We empower teens to find their voice and develop the skills needed to fulfill their potential. Learn more about the programs.

Legislative Internship Program

Each January, beginning in 1955, the Washington State Legislature welcomes around 70 passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking students to serve as non-partisan, full time legislative staff in Olympia.

 
 

Resources

 
 

For more information contact the Legislative Information Center 

  • 10 Legislative Building (the Domed Capitol Building)
    P.O. Box 40500
    Olympia, WA 98504-0500

  • 360-786-7573

  • support@leg.wa.gov

  • TOLL-FREE HOTLINE:  1-800-562-6000