Bill Action

Bill action ceremonies will not be open to the general public. Members of the public can view the bill signings on TVW. 

Bill Action Scheduled

No bill action scheduled at this time.

 

Bill Action Taken

Bill Number Chamber Description Governor's Action Signed Datesort ascending
5674 Senate Relating to wine and beer sampling at farmers markets. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
5705 Senate Relating to amounts received by taxing districts from property tax refunds and abatements. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
5806 Senate Relating to repealing an obsolete provision for a credit against property taxes paid on timber on public land. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
1068 House Relating to the television reception improvement district excise tax. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1076 House Relating to expanding participation in innovation academy cooperatives. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1178 House Relating to authorizing alternative assessments of basic skills for teacher certification. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1194 House Relating to limiting liability for habitat projects. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1195 House Relating to candidate names on the primary ballot. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1253 House Relating to the lodging tax. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1336 House Relating to increasing the capacity of school districts to recognize and respond to troubled youth. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1493 House Relating to the property taxation of mobile homes and park model trailers. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1644 House Relating to transportation planning objectives and performance measures for local and regional agencies. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1645 House Relating to the Washington higher education facilities authority. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1679 House Relating to disclosure of health care information. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1683 House Relating to authorizing recognition of institutions of postsecondary study in order to retain federal financial aid eligibility. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1688 House Relating to reporting of incidents of student restraint and isolation in public schools. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1736 House Relating to higher education operating efficiencies. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1737 House Relating to supervision of physician assistants. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1764 House Relating to geoduck diver licenses. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1774 House Relating to measuring performance and performance-based contracting of the child welfare system. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1821 House Relating to good cause exceptions during permanency hearings. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
1853 House Relating to clarifying that real estate brokers licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW are independent contractors. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
5052 Senate Relating to increasing the number of superior court judges in Whatcom county. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
5072 Senate Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for disabled veterans and members of the armed forces for certain equipment and services that assist physically challenged persons to safely operate a motor vehicle. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013
5078 Senate Relating to modifying the property tax exemption for nonprofit fairs. Signed Thu, May. 9, 2013

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Bill Action FAQs

When does a bill reach the governor’s desk?

Before the governor signs a bill, it must first be signed in open session in both the Senate and House. Once the house speaker and senate president sign the bill, it’s delivered to the governor’s office. This process can take several days following the passage of a bill by the Legislature.

How long does the governor have to sign a bill?

Bills that are delivered to the governor more than five days before the Legislature adjourns have five days to be acted on. Bills that are delivered fewer than five days before the Legislature adjourns have 20 days to be acted on by the governor.

How are the five days and the 20 days counted?

Both are counted as calendar days, not business days. Sundays are not counted, but Saturdays and state holidays are counted.

How are bills scheduled for action, whether they are five-day or 20-day bills?

The governor’s office schedules bill signings. Often they are signed in the governor’s office in the order they are received; however:

  • Bills may be grouped together by issue or location. For example, several education bills may be signed at the same time or bills affecting a region of the state may be signed together in that region.
  • Legislators can request a specific date for signing.
How do I find out when a bill is going to be signed?

The bill action schedule and memos are posted on this website above. Always double check the bill action schedule on the day of your bill signing as sometimes bills may be held at the last minute for further consideration.

 

I’d like to attend a bill signing. What do I need to know?
  • The bill action notice gives the location and time of the bill signing. Possible locations include:
    • Governor’s Conference Room on the second floor of the Legislative Building
    • State Reception Room on the third floor of the Legislative Building
    • Off-site locations around the state
  • Capitol Campus building map is available here.
  • Parking information for the Capitol Campus is available here.
  • There are often large groups at bill signings so when you arrive, we ask that you find your bill number and line up in the hallway. Our staff will call groups into the conference room when their bill is being signed.
  • Children are welcome. Service animals only are also allowed in the office.
  • During the signing, guests should form a group behind the governor. The spots immediately to the governor’s left and right are reserved for the legislators who sponsored the bill. After the governor gives brief remarks, a photographer will take a group photo available for purchase here. The bill signings are also recorded and available for viewing on tvw.org.
  • After the photos, our staff will pass out ceremonial pens to commemorate the signing.
  • Guests should then exit the conference room through the rear door.

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