Bill Action

We cannot hold public bill signings at this time due to the extraordinary circumstances to protect the public’s health. 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
5274 Senate Relating to dental coverage for Pacific islanders residing in Washington. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, May. 8, 2019
5287 Senate Relating to ensuring accurate redistricting by counting individuals in state custody as residents of their last known place of residence. Signed / Partial Veto Tue, May. 21, 2019
5360 Senate Relating to plan membership default provisions in the public employees' retirement system, the teachers' retirement system, and the school employees' retirement system. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, May. 8, 2019
5418 Senate Relating to local government procurement modernization and efficiency. Signed / Partial Veto Tue, May. 21, 2019
5503 Senate Relating to state board of health rules regarding on-site sewage systems. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, Apr. 17, 2019
5672 Senate Relating to adult family home specialty services. Signed / Partial Veto Tue, May. 21, 2019
5710 Senate Relating to the Cooper Jones active transportation safety council. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, Apr. 17, 2019
5160 Senate Relating to addressing landlord-tenant relations by providing certain tenant protections during the public health emergency, providing for legal representation in eviction cases, establishing an eviction resolution pilot program for nonpayment of rent cases, and authorizing landlord access to certain rental assistance programs. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, Apr. 22, 2021
5159 Senate Relating to payments in lieu of real property taxes by the department of fish and wildlife. Signed / Partial Veto Mon, May. 3, 2021
5293 Senate Relating to mental health sentencing alternatives. Signed / Partial Veto Mon, May. 10, 2021
5304 Senate Relating to providing reentry services to persons releasing from state and local institutions. Signed / Partial Veto Mon, May. 10, 2021
1220 House Relating to supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, May. 12, 2021
1336 House Relating to creating and expanding unrestricted authority for public entities to provide telecommunications services to end users. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
1069 House Relating to local government fiscal flexibility. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
1287 House Relating to preparedness for a zero emissions transportation future. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
5151 Senate Relating to foster care and child care licensing by the department of children, youth, and families. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
5235 Senate Relating to increasing housing unit inventory by removing arbitrary limits on housing options. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
5368 Senate Relating to encouraging rural economic development. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
5405 Senate Relating to racial equity analysis for the joint legislative audit and review committee work. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
5476 Senate Relating to addressing the State v. Blake decision. Signed / Partial Veto Thu, May. 13, 2021
1091 House Relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel. Signed / Partial Veto Mon, May. 17, 2021
5126 Senate Relating to the Washington climate commitment act. Signed / Partial Veto Mon, May. 17, 2021
5092 Senate Relating to fiscal matters. Signed / Partial Veto Tue, May. 18, 2021
5165 Senate Relating to transportation funding and appropriations. Signed / Partial Veto Tue, May. 18, 2021
1153 House Relating to language access in public schools. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, Mar. 23, 2022

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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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