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 Actionsort descending Signed Date
5411 Senate Relating to requiring the ballot proposition to reduce the terms of office of port commissioners to be submitted at the next general election. Signed Mon, May. 6, 2013
5416 Senate Relating to prescription information. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5417 Senate Relating to the annexation of unincorporated territory within a code city. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5434 Senate Relating to the filing and public disclosure of health care provider compensation. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5437 Senate Relating to boating safety. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5444 Senate Relating to administration of taxes regarding publicly owned property. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
5446 Senate Relating to state auditor applications for investigative subpoenas. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5449 Senate Relating to modification of the Washington state health insurance pool. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5456 Senate Relating to detentions under the involuntary treatment act. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5458 Senate Relating to the labeling of certain asbestos-containing building materials. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5459 Senate Relating to requiring ninety-day supply limits on certain drugs dispensed by a pharmacist. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5465 Senate Relating to exemptions from licensure as a physical therapist. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5466 Senate Relating to criminal history record information compliance audits. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5472 Senate Relating to applied doctorate level degrees in audiology at Western Washington University. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5476 Senate Relating to the employment status of independent contractors in the news business. Signed Thu, May. 2, 2013
5480 Senate Relating to mental health involuntary commitment laws. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5484 Senate Relating to assault in the third degree occurring in areas used in connection with court proceedings. Signed Tue, May. 14, 2013
5488 Senate Relating to establishing an enhanced penalty for the use of an internet advertisement to facilitate the commission of a sex-trafficking crime. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5491 Senate Relating to statewide indicators of educational health. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5496 Senate Relating to authorizing approval of online school programs in private schools. Signed Mon, May. 6, 2013
5507 Senate Relating to increasing transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5510 Senate Relating to abuse of vulnerable adults. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5517 Senate Relating to the beer and wine tasting endorsement for grocery stores. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5524 Senate Relating to authorizing Washington pharmacies to fill prescriptions written by physician assistants in other states. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5541 Senate Relating to redemption of real property. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 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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