JOINT
RULES
OF THE
SENATE AND THE
HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
FIFTY‑((SECOND))
THIRD LEGISLATURE
((1991))
1993
JOINT RULE NO.
Rule 1Code of ethics.
Rule 2Legislative conflict
of interest.
Rule ((2))(3)Independence of legislative judgment.
Rule 4Undue influence of legislator.
Rule 5Abuse of legislative position.
Rule 6Employee ((restrictions)) actions.
Rule ((3))(7)Prohibited political activity.
Rule 8Legislative questionnaires.
Rule 9Study of legislative and electoral activities.
Rule 10Sessions of the legislature.
Rule 11Joint session.
Rule ((4))12Motions for joint session.
Rule ((5))13Business limited.
((Rule 6Conference committee.
Rule 7Conference committee appointees.
Rule 8Failure to agree.
Rule 9Report of conference committee, how made out; whom
returned to.
Rule 10Adoption of reports.
Rule 11Messages between the two houses.
Rule 12Final action on bills, how communicated.
Rule 13Enrolled bills‑‑Presiding officer to sign.
Rule 14Disposition of enrolled bills.
Rule 15Transmission of documents.))
Rule 14Joint
legislative committees.
Rule 15Joint committee hearings.
Rule 16Joint and concurrent resolutions: Memorials.
Rule 17Amendatory bills.
Rule 18Amendatory bills, how drawn.
Rule 19Amendments to state Constitution: Action by legislature.
Rule 20Publicity of proposed amendments to state Constitution.
Rule 21Initiative petition before the legislature.
Rule 22Conference committee.
Rule 23Conference
committee appointees.
Rule 24Failure
to agree.
Rule 25Report
of conference committee, how made out; whom returned to.
Rule 26Adoption
of reports.
Rule 27Messages
between the two houses.
Rule 28Bills
to be engrossed.
Rule 29Final
action on bills, how communicated.
Rule 30Enrolled
bills‑-Presiding officer to sign.
Rule 31Disposition
of enrolled bills.
Rule 32Adjournment.
Rule ((23))
33Adjournment sine die.
((Rule 24Operation of committees during interim.
Rule 25Joint legislative committees.
Rule 26Joint committee hearings.))
Rule ((27))
34Each house judge of its own
membership.
((Rule 28Sessions of the legislature.
Rule 29Amendments to joint rules.
Rule 30Joint rules to apply for biennium.
Rule 31Open standing committee meeting.
Rule 32Standing committees‑‑Duties.
Rule 33Standing committees‑‑Expenses‑‑Subpoena
power.
Rule 34Committee procedures.
Rule 35Legislative polling.
Rule 36Bills to be engrossed.))
Rule ((37))
35Convening special
legislative sessions.
Rule 36Amendments
to joint rules.
Rule 37Joint
rules to apply for biennium.
Code
of Ethics
Rule 1. Rules 2 through 7
of these Joint Rules constitute a Code of Legislative Ethics which shall be
administered under the provisions of RCW 44.60.010 through 44.60.130.
Disciplinary actions for violation include: In the case of a legislator,
reprimand, censure, or expulsion, and when applicable, restitution; and in the
case of a legislative employee, reprimand, suspension, or dismissal, and when
applicable, restitution.
Legislative
Conflict of Interest
Rule ((1)) 2. A legislator has a personal interest which is in
conflict with the proper discharge of legislative duties if the legislator has
reason to believe or expect that a direct monetary gain or a direct monetary
loss will be derived by reason of the legislator's official activity.
However, a legislator does not have a personal
interest which is in conflict with the proper discharge of legislative duties
if no benefit or detriment accrues to the legislator as a member of a business,
profession, occupation, or group, to a greater extent than to any other member
of such business, profession, occupation, or group.
((CODE
OF ETHICS
In order to maintain legislative integrity and
secure the public interest the following Code of Ethics is adopted for
legislators:))
Independence
of Legislative Judgment
(((a))) Rule 3. Actions
which destroy public confidence in the independence of judgment ((as))
of a legislator:
(((1))) Section 1. A
legislator shall not vote on or influence legislation in committee or on the
floor of either house, where the legislator has a personal interest which is in
conflict with the proper discharge of legislative duties.
(((2))) Section 2. A
legislator shall not accept any gratuity or compensation for services rendered
in connection with legislative employment other than legislative salary.
(((3))) Section 3. A
legislator shall not accept an honorarium if it can be reasonably concluded
that the honorarium would not have been made but for the legislator's status as
a legislator.
(((4))) Section 4. A
legislator shall not ask, receive, or agree to receive anything of value upon
any understanding that the legislator's vote, opinion, judgment, or action will
be influenced thereby.
(((5))) Section 5. A
legislator shall not solicit, receive, or accept a gift, favor or service under
circumstances where it could be reasonably inferred that such action would
influence the legislator in the discharge of legislative duties, or was a
reward.
(((6))) Section 6. A
legislator shall not accept any remuneration other than legislative
compensation for legislative advice or assistance.
(((7))) Section 7. A
legislator shall not appear before any department of state government for
compensation that is contingent upon action by that department of state
government unless the fee is set or approved by that department.
Undue
Influence of a Legislator
(((b))) Rule 4. Actions
which involve undue influence upon any state agency, court, or governmental
subdivision:
(((1))) Section 1. A
legislator shall not represent clients for compensation in proceedings or
hearings before state agencies, boards or commissions involving claims of state
employees.
(((2))) Section 2. A
legislator, singularly or through others, shall not use or attempt to use
improper means to influence a state agency, board or commission.
(((3))) Section 3. A
legislator may use an official title or stationery in connection with a matter
or proceeding before a state agency, board or commission, only if done without
compensation, in connection with legislative duties.
(((4))) Section 4. A
legislator shall not represent any claimant for compensation in any claim
placed before the legislature.
(((5))) Section 5. A
legislator shall not receive compensation for an appearance before a state
agency as an expert witness.
Abuse
of Legislative Position
(((c))) Rule 5. Actions
which constitute an abuse of official position or a violation of public trust:
(((1))) Section 1. A
legislator shall not accept employment, or engage in any business, or be
involved in any activity which one might reasonably expect would require the
disclosure of privileged information gained by virtue of holding legislative
office.
(((2))) Section 2. A
legislator shall not enter into any contract with a state agency involving
services or property, unless the contract is made after public notice and
competitive bidding; except in cases where public notice and competitive
bidding are not required, the contract or agreement shall be filed with the
Board of Ethics.
Section 3. A legislator shall not
solicit, directly or indirectly, a political contribution from a legislative
employee.
Employee ((Restrictions)) Actions
Rule ((2)) (6). Employee actions that impair independence of
judgment, constitute an abuse of employment position, or constitute political
activity prohibited by statute or legislative policy or both:
Section 1. A legislative employee shall not
accept any gratuity or compensation for services rendered in connection with
legislative employment other than legislative salary. A legislative employee
shall not accept any employment or serve in any position, in addition to
legislative employment, which would impair the employee's independence of
judgment. Except within the scope of employment, a legislative employee shall
not provide any service to a lobbyist or any other person.
Section 2. A legislative employee shall not
accept an honorarium if it can be reasonably concluded that the honorarium
would not have been made but for the employee's status as a legislative
employee.
Section 3. A legislative employee shall not
use or attempt to use the employee's official position to (1) personally obtain
any privilege, exemption, special treatment or any other thing of value, or (2)
obtain any such benefit for others except as required to perform duties within
the scope of employment.
Section 4. A legislative employee shall not
accept or solicit anything of value for personal benefit or for the benefit of
others under circumstances in which it can be reasonably inferred that the
legislative employee's independence of judgment is impaired or is intended as a
reward for any official action.
Section 5. A legislative employee shall not
disclose confidential information acquired by reason of the employee's official
position to any person or group not entitled to receive such information, nor
shall the employee use such information for personal gain or benefit or for the
benefit of others.
Section 6. A legislative employee shall not
enter into any contract with a state agency involving services or property,
unless the contract is made after public notice and competitive bidding; except
in cases where public notice and competitive bidding are not required, the
contract or agreement shall be filed with the appropriate board of ethics.
Section 7. A legislative employee shall not
solicit or accept contributions for any candidate or political committee during
working hours. At no time shall a legislative employee directly or indirectly solicit
a contribution from another legislative employee for any legislative candidate,
caucus, or leadership committee, nor coerce another employee into making a
contribution to ((a)) any candidate or ((a)) political
committee. No legislative employee, as a condition of becoming or remaining
employed, may directly or indirectly be required to make any contribution to a
political candidate, committee, or party.
Prohibited
Political Activity
Rule 7. Actions of legislators
and legislative employees that constitute political campaign activity
prohibited by statute or legislative policy:
Section 1. Other than activities
that are part of the normal and regular conduct of the legislature, no
legislator or legislative employee may use or authorize the use of any of the
facilities of the legislature, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of
assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the
promotion or opposition to any ballot proposition. Facilities of the
legislature include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage
machines, and equipment, use of employees of the legislature during working
hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the legislature, and
constituent, interest group, or lobbyist lists of persons developed by the
legislature.
Section 2. No legislative caucus
or political organization of legislators or legislative leadership may conduct
a political fund-raising event during the period the legislature is convened in
regular or special session.
Section 3. No retaliation shall be
permitted against any legislative employee who in good faith cooperates or has
cooperated with the public disclosure commission in bringing to light potential
violations of law or legislative policy.
Legislative
Questionnaires
Rule 8. The use of public
funds by a legislator or legislative committee for mailed questionnaires is
authorized only when the following criteria are met:
(1) The questionnaire is
authorized by a legislator, and confined to soliciting opinions or facts
relative to legislative issues or studies;
(2) The identity of the
legislator or legislative committee sponsoring the questionnaire is disclosed
on the questionnaire;
(3) Except as otherwise
provided in this section, a legislator may authorize mailing of a questionnaire
at any time.
During the twelve-month period preceding the
expiration of a state legislator's term in office, mass mailing of a
questionnaire is allowed only if it is included in the identical newsletter to
constituents permitted at the beginning of a legislative session under RCW
42.17.132.
In any year in which a legislator is a
candidate for another public office, no questionnaire may be sponsored by or on
behalf of such legislator during the period between June 1st and the general
election day of that year or, in the event of a special election, no
questionnaire may be sponsored by or on behalf of such legislator during the
period between either sixty days prior to the election or the date of the
filing of the legislator for the office subject to special election, whichever
occurs last, and the special election.
A legislative committee may authorize a
questionnaire at any time if the questionnaire conforms to subsections (1),
(2), and (4) of this rule; and
(4) The questionnaire
complies with all other pertinent laws and rules.
Study of Separation of
Legislative from Electoral Activities
Rule 9. The executive rules committee of the house of
representatives and the facilities and operations committee of the senate shall
cause a joint study to be undertaken and completed prior to December 31, 1993,
bearing on the separation of legislative from electoral activities, including:
Section 1. Prohibiting legislative
employees from recruiting or campaigning for legislative candidates.
Section 2. Preventing benefits
from being paid to employees on leave without pay for purposes of campaigning.
Section 3. Removing the block-out
of the last four digits for members' telephone records.
Section 4. Reviewing all partisan
staff positions to determine which require partisan affiliation and which should
be converted to nonpartisan.
Section 5. Reviewing whether
additional or more specific disciplinary procedures are required for violations
of the Joint Standards of Conduct Regarding Use of Public Facilities.
Section 6. Reviewing the appropriate
employment status of legislative employees who become candidates for
legislative or state-wide elective office.
Sessions
of the Legislature
Rule 10. The sessions of the legislature shall be held
annually, convening at 12:00 o'clock noon on the second Monday of January each
year, as provided by RCW 44.04.010 in accordance with Art. 2, section 12 of the
state Constitution.
Joint
Session
Rule ((3)) 11. Whenever there shall be a joint session of the two
houses, the proceedings shall be entered at length upon the journal of each
house. The lieutenant governor or president of the senate shall preside over
such joint session, and the clerk of the house shall act as the clerk thereof,
except in the case of the joint session held for the purpose of canvassing the
votes of constitutional elective state officers, when the speaker shall preside
over such joint sessions. The lieutenant governor ((shall not act in said
joint session except as the presiding officer, and)) in no case shall have
the right to give the deciding vote.
Motions
for Joint Session
Rule ((4)) 12. All motions for a joint session shall be made by
concurrent resolution to be introduced by the house in which such joint session
is to be held; and when an agreement has once been made, it shall not be
altered or annulled, except by concurrent resolution.
Business
Limited
Rule ((5)) 13. No business shall be considered in joint session
other than that which may be agreed upon before the joint session is called.
((CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE, REPORTS, ETC.
Conference
Committee
Rule 6. In every case of difference between the two houses,
upon any subject of legislation, either house may request a conference and
appoint a committee of three for that purpose, and the other house may grant
the request for a conference and appoint a like committee to confer. The
committees, at the earliest possible hour, shall confer upon the differences
between the two houses indicated by the amendment or amendments adopted in one
house and rejected in the other. The papers shall be left with the conferees
of the house if a senate bill, and with the conferees of the senate, if a house
bill, and the holders of the papers shall first present the report of the
committee to their house. Every report of a conference committee must have the
signatures of a majority of the conference committee members of each house.
Conference committee reports must be signed at a meeting duly convened by the
chief clerk of the house for senate bills or the secretary of the senate for
house bills.
Conference
Committee Appointees
Rule 7. The presiding officer of each house shall appoint
on each conference committee three members, selecting them so as to represent,
in each case, the majority and minority positions as relates to the subject
matter, and to the extent possible the majority and minority political parties.
Failure
to Agree
Rule 8. In case of failure of the conferees to agree on
matters directly at issue between the two houses, the committee may in addition
consider new proposed items within the scope and object of the bill in
conference. A report proposing new items shall include all amendments to the
bill or resolution agreed upon by the conference committee. The proposed
report may be in the form of a new bill or resolution and such report must have
the signatures of a majority of the members of the committee appointed from
each house.
Report of
Conference Committee, How
Made Out;
Whom Returned to
Rule 9. The conference committee shall submit the bill as amended
together with three signed copies of its report to the house if a senate bill,
and to the senate, if a house bill. A copy of the report shall be placed upon
the desk of each member of the legislature at the time the report is received
by this house. If this house acts to approve the report and pass the bill as
amended, it shall then transmit its action, the bill, and two copies of the
report to the other house.
Adoption
of Reports*
Rule 10. The report of a conference committee may be adopted by
acclamation, but concurrence in the bill as amended shall be by roll call and
the ayes and nays entered on the journals of the respective houses. The report
must be voted upon in its entirety and cannot be amended. The report shall be
read in full in each house before a vote is taken on the report. The senate and
house, within their own bodies, can suspend the reading of a report in full.
Each house shall have twenty‑four hours from the time of proper receipt,
by the chief clerk of the house and the secretary of the senate, and by
distribution to the desks of the members, to consider reports from a conference
committee which has proposed new items within the scope and object of the bill
in conference. Neither house may vote thereon until the twenty‑four hour
period shall have elapsed. The clerk and the secretary shall place the reports
on the desks of the members as soon as possible. The foregoing provisions
relating to twenty‑four hour intervals may be suspended by the senate or
the house of representatives by a two‑thirds vote of the members present,
and such suspension shall apply only to the house voting to suspend these
provisions. No floor vote may be taken on any conference committee report
without a summary of additions, changes, and deletions made by the conference
committee with a reference in each instance to the page and line number or
numbers in the report containing said additions, changes, or deletions.
*Requires a constitutional majority. Requires
two‑thirds on constitutional amendment.
Messages
Between the Two Houses
Rule 11. Messages from the senate to the house of
representatives shall be delivered by the secretary or assistant secretary, and
messages from the house of representatives to the senate shall be delivered by
the chief clerk or assistant.
Final Action on
Bills, How Communicated
Rule 12. Each house shall communicate its final action on any
bill or resolution, or matter in which the other may be interested, in writing,
signed by the secretary or clerk of the house from which such notice is sent.
Enrolled Bills -
Presiding Officer to Sign
Rule 13. After a bill shall have passed both houses and all
amendments have been carefully engrossed therein, it shall be signed by the
presiding officer of each house in open session, first in the house in which it
originated. The secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house shall
present the original bill to the governor for signature, who, after taking
action thereon, shall transmit it to the office of the secretary of state.
Disposition
of Enrolled Bills
Rule 14. Whenever any bill shall have passed both houses, the
house transmitting the bill in its final form to the governor shall also file
with the secretary of state a copy of the bill together with the history of
such bill up to the time of transmission to the governor.
Transmission
of Documents
Rule 15. Each house shall transmit to the other all documents
on which any bill or resolution may be founded.))
Joint
Legislative Committees
Rule 14. Joint legislative committees may be created by
concurrent resolution originating in either house and passed by a majority vote
of both houses.
Joint legislative committees may have the
powers of subpoena, the power to administer oaths, and the power to issue
commissions for the examination of witnesses in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 44.16 RCW. Before a joint legislative committee may issue any
process, the committee chairperson shall submit for approval of both the
executive rules committee of the house of representatives and the rules
committee of the senate, a statement of purpose setting forth the name or names
of those subject to process. The process shall not be issued prior to approval
by both the executive rules committee of the house of representatives and the
rules committee of the senate. The process shall be limited to the named individuals.
Joint
Committee Hearings
Rule 15. All public hearings held by joint committees or
held jointly by house of representatives and senate standing committees shall
be scheduled in accordance with the public notice requirements of both the
senate and the house of representatives.
Joint and
Concurrent Resolutions; Memorials
Rule 16. All
memorials and resolutions from the legislature addressed to the President of the
United States, to the Congress or either house thereof, to any other branch of
the Federal government, to any other branch of state government, or to any unit
of local government shall be in the form of joint memorials. Proposed
amendments to the state Constitution shall be in the form of joint
resolutions. Business between the two houses such as joint sessions,
amendments to redistricting plans submitted by a redistricting commission
created under chapter 44.05 RCW, adopting or amending joint rules, creating or
empowering joint committees, opening and closing business of the legislature
and all such related matters shall be in the form of concurrent resolutions.
Joint memorials, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions, up to and
including the signing thereof by the presiding officer of each house, shall be
subject to the rules governing the course of bills. Concurrent resolutions may
be adopted without a roll call. Concurrent resolutions amending a
redistricting plan submitted by a redistricting commission, authorizing
investigations or authorizing the expenditure or allocation of any money or
relating to any joint committee must be adopted by roll call, and the yeas and
nays recorded in the journal. Concurrent resolutions amending a redistricting
plan as well as all amendments to those resolutions must be agreed to by
two-thirds of the members elected or appointed to each house.
Amendatory
Bills
Rule 17. All
amendatory bills shall refer to the section or sections of the official codes
and statutes of Washington, and supplements thereto and to the respective
Session Laws, to be amended.
Amendatory
Bills, How Drawn
Rule 18. Bills
introduced in either house intended to amend existing statutes shall have the
words which are amendatory to such existing statutes underlined. Any matter to
be deleted from the existing statutes shall be indicated by lining out such
matter with a broken line and enclosing the lined out material within double
parentheses, and no bill shall be printed or acted upon until the provisions of
this rule shall have been complied with.
New sections need not be underlined but shall
be designated "NEW SECTION." in upper case type and such designation
shall be underlined.
No bill shall be introduced by title only, and,
in the event a bill is not complete, at least section 1 shall be set forth in
full before the bill may be accepted for introduction.
Amendments to bills will be acted upon in the
manner provided in the Rules of the Senate and in the Rules of the House. No
amendment to a bill shall be considered which strikes the entire subject matter
of a bill, and substitutes in lieu thereof entirely new subject matter not
germane to the original or engrossed bill.
Amendments to State
Constitution; Action by Legislature
Rule 19. Amendments
to the state Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature
by joint resolution; and if the same shall be agreed to by two‑thirds of
the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or
amendments shall be entered on their respective journals with the ayes and nays
thereon. (Const., art. 23, sec. 1.)
Publicity of Proposed
Amendments to State Constitution
Rule 20. The
legislature shall provide methods of publicity of all laws or parts of laws,
and amendments to the Constitution referred to the people with arguments for
and against the laws and amendments so referred, so that each voter of the
state shall receive the publication as soon as possible before the election at
which they are to be voted upon. (Const., art. 2, sec. 1e.)
Initiative
Petition Before the Legislature
Rule 21. Initiative
petitions filed with the secretary of state not less than ten 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 will
certify, each for its own body, to the secretary of state the action taken.
(Const., art. 2, sec. 1a.)
Conference
Committee
Rule 22. In every case of difference between the two
houses, upon any subject of legislation, either house may request a conference
and appoint a committee of three for that purpose, and the other house may
grant the request for a conference and appoint a like committee to confer. The
committees, at the earliest possible hour, shall confer upon the differences
between the two houses indicated by the amendment or amendments adopted in one
house and rejected in the other. The papers shall be left with the conferees of
the house if a senate bill, and with the conferees of the senate, if a house
bill, and the holders of the papers shall first present the report of the
committee to their house. Every report of a conference committee must have the
signatures of a majority of the conference committee members of each house.
Conference committee reports must be signed at a meeting duly convened by the
chief clerk of the house for senate bills or the secretary of the senate for
house bills.
Conference
Committee Appointees
Rule 23. The presiding officer of each house shall appoint
on each conference committee three members, selecting them so as to represent,
in each case, the majority and minority positions to the extent possible as
relates to the subject matter, and the majority and minority political parties.
Failure
to Agree
Rule 24. In case of failure of the conferees to agree on
matters directly at issue between the two houses, the committee may in addition
consider new proposed items within the scope and object of the bill in
conference. A report proposing new items shall include all amendments to the
bill or resolution agreed upon by the conference committee. The proposed report
may be in the form of a new bill or resolution and such report must have the
signatures of a majority of the members of the committee appointed from each
house.
Report of
Conference Committee, How
Made
Out; Whom Returned to
Rule 25. The conference committee shall submit the bill as
amended together with three signed copies of its report to the house if a
senate bill, and to the senate, if a house bill. A copy of the report shall be
placed upon the desk of each member of the legislature at the time the report
is received by this house. If this house acts to approve the report and pass
the bill as amended, it shall then transmit its action, the bill, and two
copies of the report to the other house.
Adoption
of Reports
Rule 26. No floor vote may be taken on any conference
committee report without a distribution to all members of a summary of
additions, changes, and deletions made by the conference committee with a
reference in each instance to the page and line number or numbers in the report
containing said additions, changes, or deletions. The clerk and the secretary
shall place the reports on the desks of the members as soon as possible.
Each house shall have twenty-four hours from
the time of proper receipt, by the chief clerk of the house and the secretary
of the senate, and by distribution to the desks of the members before
considering reports from a conference committee which has proposed new items
within the scope and object of the bill in conference. The report shall be read
in full.
The foregoing provisions relating to
twenty-four hour intervals and reading of the report in full may be suspended
by the senate or the house of representatives by two-thirds vote of the members
present, and such suspension shall apply only to the house voting to suspend
these provisions.
The report must be voted upon in its
entirety and cannot be amended. The report of a conference committee may be
adopted by acclamation.
Passage of a bill as amended by conference
report shall be by roll call and ayes and nays shall be entered on the journals
of the respective house. Passage requires a constitutional majority in both
houses, except in the case of constitutional amendments, which require a
two-thirds vote.
Messages
Between the Two Houses
Rule 27. Messages from the senate to the house of
representatives shall be delivered by the secretary or the secretary's
designee, and messages from the house of representatives to the senate shall be
delivered by the chief clerk or the chief clerk's designee.
Bills
to be Engrossed
Rule 28. Any bill amended in the house of its origin shall
be engrossed before being transmitted to the other house. The secretary or
clerk of the receiving house, as the case may be, may waive the right to
receive an engrossed bill.
Final Action
on Bills, How Communicated
Rule 29. Each house shall communicate its final action on
any bill or resolution, or matter in which the other may be interested, in
writing, signed by the secretary or clerk of the house from which such notice
is sent.
Enrolled Bills
- Presiding Officer to Sign
Rule 30. After a bill shall have passed both houses and all
amendments have been engrossed therein, it shall be signed by the presiding
officer of each house in open session, first in the house in which it
originated. The secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house shall
present the original bill to the governor for signature.
Disposition
of Enrolled Bills
Rule 31. Whenever any bill shall have passed both houses,
the house transmitting the bill in its final form to the governor shall also
file with the secretary of state a copy of the bill together with the history
of such bill up to the time of transmission to the governor.
Adjournment
Rule ((22)) 32. Neither house shall adjourn for more than three
days, nor to any place other than that in which they may be sitting, without
the consent of the other. (Const., art. 2, sec. 11.)
Adjournment
Sine Die
Rule ((23)) 33. Adjournment sine die shall be made only by
concurrent resolution.
((Operation
of Committees During Interim
Rule 24. During the interim between legislative sessions the
membership and structure of each standing committee of each house of the
legislature shall be continued for the purpose of studying and making
recommendations to any subsequent session. Each standing committee shall have
the following powers and duties:
(1) To perform either through the standing
committee as a whole or through subcommittees thereof or select committees
thereof all duties and functions customarily delegated to legislative
committees acting within the scope of the duties exercised by such committee
concerning the subject matter with which the legislative standing committee is
generally entrusted during a regular or special legislative session;
(2) To examine and study the administrative
organization and procedures of the state government, its officers, boards,
committees, commissions, institutions, and other state agencies and to make
recommendations where found advisable directed to the elimination of
unnecessary overlapping or duplication of functions, procedures, and
expenditures and to the promotion of economy and efficiency in state government
and as particularly related to the scope of the activities related to the
standing legislative committee while the legislature is in session;
(3) To make such other studies and examinations
of the state government and its agencies as it may find advisable and to hear
complaints, hold hearings, gather information, and make findings of fact with
respect thereto within the scope of the activities related to the standing
legislative committee while the legislature is in session;
(4) To make reports from time to time to the
members of the legislature and to the public with respect to any of its
findings and recommendations.
For the purposes above mentioned the Facilities
and Operations Committee established in the Senate and a corresponding similar
committee in the House of Representatives shall be authorized to select such
clerical, legal, accounting, research, and other assistants as may be deemed
desirable to work for the standing committees established hereby, and the
compensation and salary of such employees shall be fixed by such committees in
each respective house subject to such legislative appropriations as shall be or
have been made for such purposes by the legislature for the Senate and the House
of Representatives respectively.
With reference to the studies and
investigations to be undertaken, each standing committee may only study
subjects, areas and problems assigned to such committee by the respective house
or by the rules committees of the respective house.
During the interim between sessions, proposed
committee bills which may be developed as a result of the studies and
investigations made by such standing committees may be proposed and filed by
such committees, and such proposed committee bills shall bear the signature of
a majority of the members of such standing committee. Proposed Senate bills
shall be filed with the secretary of the Senate. Proposed House bills shall be
filed with the chief clerk of the House.
During the interim between legislative sessions
such committee bill proposals shall be printed and referred to the committee on
rules.
Joint
Legislative Committees
Rule 25. Joint legislative committees may be created by
concurrent resolution originating in either house and passed by a majority vote
of both houses. These committees shall be subject to the rules and procedures
of the House and Senate. The resolution shall set forth all administrative
matters including staffing, facilities, travel, budgets and grant applications,
receipts and expenditures from non‑legislative sources. All personnel
matters and all expenditures from any fund source shall be subject to approval
by the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee and the House Executive Rules
Committee. The procedure for selecting joint committee chairs and vice‑chairs
and their terms of office shall also be provided by the resolution. Staffing
for joint legislative committees shall as much as possible be done through
existing legislative staff. When existing staff are assigned to joint
legislative committees they shall continue to be paid and reimbursed by the
house from which they were assigned.
Joint legislative committees shall have a
quorum present to take executive action.
Joint legislative committees may have the
powers of subpoena, the power to administer oaths, and the power to issue
commissions for the examination of witnesses in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 44.16 RCW. Before a joint legislative committee may issue any
process, the committee chairperson shall file with the committee on rules of
both houses, a statement of purpose setting forth the name or names of those
subject to process. The respective rules committee shall consider every
proposed issuance of process at a meeting of the rules committee immediately
following the filing of the statement with the committee. The process shall
not be issued prior to approval by a majority of the membership of each rules
committee. The process shall be limited to the named individuals.
Joint
Committee Hearings
Rule 26. Whenever any standing, select, or special committee
of either house shall desire to arrange for a public hearing upon any subject
of legislative study pending before such committee, it shall be the duty of the
chairperson of such committee to consult with the chairperson of the
corresponding committee of the other house and endeavor to arrange a hearing by
the committees of the two houses.
All joint public hearings held by the
committees shall be scheduled at least five days in advance, shall be open to
the public, and shall be given publicity. The notice and scheduling provision
shall not apply to joint hearings held after the tenth day preceding
adjournment sine die of any regular session or during any special session.))
Each House Judge
of Its Own Membership
Rule ((27)) 34. Each house of the legislature is the judge of the
qualifications and election of its members, and shall try all contested
elections of its members in such manner as it may direct. (Const., art. 2, sec.
8.)
((Sessions
of the Legislature
Rule 28. The sessions of the legislature shall be held
annually, convening at 12:00 o'clock noon on the second Monday of January each
year, as provided by RCW 44.04.010 in accordance with art. 2, section 12 of the
state Constitution.))
Convening
Special Legislative Sessions
Rule 35. The legislature may convene a special legislative
session as follows:
(1) A resolution calling
for convening a special legislative session shall set forth the date and time
for convening the session, the duration of the session which shall not exceed
thirty days, together with the purpose or purposes for which such session is called.
Members of the house or senate may present a proposed resolution for the
convening of a special legislative session to the committee on rules of their
respective houses.
(2) The authority to
place a resolution convening a special legislative session before the
legislature is vested in the committee on rules of the house of representatives
and the committee on rules of the senate.
(3) Upon a majority vote
of both the committee on rules of the house and the committee on rules of the
senate in favor of a resolution convening a special legislative session, a vote
of the house and senate shall be taken on such resolution.
(4) The chief clerk of
the house and the secretary of the senate shall conduct the vote on the
resolution by written ballot of the members of their respective houses under
such procedures as may be ordered by the committee on rules of their house. The
results of such vote shall be transmitted to the members of the legislature and
shall be a public record and shall be entered upon the journal of the house and
senate at the convening of the next legislative session.
(5) If two‑thirds
of the members elected or appointed to each house vote in favor of the
resolution, then a special legislative session shall be convened in accordance
with the resolution. (Const., art. 2, sec. 12.)
Amendments
to Joint Rules
Rule ((29)) 36. These joint rules may be amended by concurrent
resolution agreed to by a majority of the members of each house, provided one
day's notice be given of the motion thereof.
Joint Rules
to Apply for Biennium
Rule ((30)) 37. The permanent joint rules adopted by the legislature
shall govern any session called during the same legislative biennium.
((Open
Standing Committee Meeting
Rule 31. During its consideration of or vote on any bill,
resolution or memorial, the deliberations of any standing committee of the
legislature shall be open to the public in accordance with the rules of each
house.
Standing
Committees - Duties
Rule 32. (1) All standing, select, and special committees of
both houses may take executive action on bills in Olympia only. Committee
hearings of either house may be held while the legislature is convened and
hearings of standing committees may be held during a recessed or interim period.
(2) The rules committee of either house may
provide for schedules, locations, or additional meetings of any standing
committee of the same house as may be determined necessary.
(3) Subject to the approval of the rules
committee of the appropriate house, standing committees, interim subcommittees,
and interim select committees may conduct hearings and scheduling without a
quorum being present.
Standing Committees -
Expenses - Subpoena Power
Rule 33. Regardless of whether the legislature is in session,
and subject to the provisions of Rule 32 to the extent that it is applicable,
members of the legislature and the president of the senate may receive from
moneys appropriated for the legislature, reimbursement for necessary travel
expenses and payments in lieu of subsistence and lodging for conducting
official business of the legislature.
The legislative committees of the senate and of
the house of representatives, may have the powers of subpoena, the power to
administer oaths, and the power to issue commissions for the examination of
witnesses in accordance with the provisions of chapter 44.16 RCW if and when
specifically authorized by the committee on rules of the respective house for
specific purposes and for specific subjects in accordance with the
authorization of the committee on rules or pursuant to rules established by the
respective house.
Committee
Procedures
Rule 34. Any person whose reputation may be unfairly injured
by testimony at a committee hearing shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
rebut that testimony. Each committee chairperson shall conduct hearings so as
to afford reasonable protection of that right. In addition, any person who
believes their reputation may have been unfairly injured by such testimony
shall be entitled, upon submitting a timely request, to (1) an accurate record
of the pertinent testimony; (2) an opportunity to voluntarily appear before the
committee and testify; and (3) an opportunity to file a sworn written statement
of facts or other documents for incorporation into the hearing record.
Legislative
Polling
Rule 35. The use of public funds by a legislator or
legislative employee for legislative polling, including mailed questionnaires,
is authorized only when the following criteria are met:
(1) Polling must be authorized by a legislator,
and confined to soliciting opinions or facts relative to legislative issues or
studies;
(2) The identity of the legislator, legislative
committee, or party caucus conducting the poll must be disclosed to the person
being polled;
(3) In any year in which a legislator is a
candidate for public office, no poll may be conducted by or on behalf of such
legislator during the period between June 1st and the general election day of
that year or, in the event of a special election, no poll may be conducted by
or on behalf of such legislator during the period between either sixty days
prior to the election or the date of the filing of the legislator for the
office subject to special election, whichever occurs last, and the special
election. Such polling is not prohibited during any special legislative
session or during the thirty days preceding such session. A legislative
committee may authorize or conduct a poll at any time if the poll conforms to
subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this rule; and
(4) The polling complies with all other
pertinent laws and rules.
Bills
to be Engrossed
Rule 36. Any bill amended in the house of its origin shall be
engrossed before being transmitted to the other house. The secretary or clerk
of the receiving house, as the case may be, may waive the right to receive an
engrossed bill.
Convening
Special Legislative Sessions
Rule 37. The legislature may convene a special legislative
session as follows:
(1) A resolution calling for convening a
special legislative session shall set forth the date and time for convening the
session, the duration of the session which shall not exceed 30 days, together
with the purpose or purposes for which such session is called. Members of the
house or senate may present a proposed resolution for the convening of a
special legislative session to the committee on rules of their respective
houses.
(2) The authority to place a resolution
convening a special legislative session before the legislature is vested in the
committee on rules of the house of representatives and the committee on rules
of the senate.
(3) Upon a majority vote of both the committee
on rules of the house and the committee on rules of the senate in favor of a
resolution convening a special legislative session, a vote of the house and
senate shall be taken on such resolution.
(4) The chief clerk of the house and the
secretary of the senate shall conduct the vote on the resolution by written
ballot of the members of their respective houses under such procedures as may
be ordered by the committee on rules of their house. The results of such vote
shall be transmitted to the members of the legislature and shall be a public
record and shall be entered upon the journal of the house and senate at the
convening of the next legislative session.
(5) If two‑thirds of the members elected
or appointed to each house vote in favor of the resolution, then a special
legislative session shall be convened in accordance with the resolution.
(Const., art. 2, sec. 12.)))
