Understanding Our 2008 Washington State Legislature

 

2007 Legislative Accomplishments

2007 Legislative Accomplishments

More 2007 Legislative Accomplishments by Shay Schual-Berke

ACLU – civil liberties accomplishments

Commentary on 2007 Legislative Accomplishments

 

Tentative 2008 Legislative Calendar

The 2008 Legislative Session in Olympia runs from January 14 through March 13, 2008. Every day – including Saturdays and Sundays – is counted in setting the 60-day Session. The legislature will be in Session on all holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day –1/21, and Presidents’ Day – 2/18), and may also be in session on weekends near the end.

 

Our 2008 State Legislature

General Information

Legislators and their assignments

Legislative Committees

Bill Information

 

Information for Influencing Legislation

Calendar of Lobby Days

Influencing Rule-Making

2008 legislative Priorities of various advocacy groups

Governor Gregoire’s 2008 supplemental budget  For more.

What to expect from our 2008 legislature

 

Important Cutoff Dates for Legislation

The dates below control the action on bills: these “cut-off dates” are firm. Bills that fail to get the requisite action before action is “cut-off” will probably die. The calendar won’t be official until the legislature convenes January, but these are the LIKELY critical dates.

 

·       1/14 – 2008 Session begins.

·       2/08 – last day for bills to be considered in the Policy Committees of the House/Senate - where they originate (a.k.a. "house of origin")

·       2/12 – last day for bill consideration in the Fiscal Committee (House or Senate) where they originate

·       2/19 – last day for bills to be considered on the floor in their “house of origin”

·       2/29 – last day for bills consideration in the Policy Committees of the "opposite house"

·       3/03 – last day for bill consideration in the Fiscal Committees of the "opposite house"

·       3/07 – last day for bill to be considered on the floor of the “opposite house”

·       3/13 – 2008 Session adjourns for the year

 

Information about other state legislatures  For more.