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
5551 Senate Relating to competency to stand trial evaluations. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5556 Senate Relating to missing endangered persons. Signed Wed, May. 15, 2013
5558 Senate Relating to down payment assistance for single-family homeownership. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5559 Senate Relating to educational specialist degrees at regional universities and the state college. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5563 Senate Relating to training school employees in the prevention of sexual abuse. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5565 Senate Relating to background checks. Signed Mon, May. 6, 2013
5568 Senate Relating to the disclosure of certain information when screening tenants. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5577 Senate Relating to protecting public employees who act ethically and legally. Signed Tue, May. 7, 2013
5591 Senate Relating to confidential license plates, drivers' licenses, identicards, and vessel registrations. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5593 Senate Relating to filing requirements for property tax exemption claims for certain improvements to benefit fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, or water quantity. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
5595 Senate Relating to child care reform. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5601 Senate Relating to ensuring chapter 19.68 RCW is interpreted in a manner consistent with the federal antikickback statute. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5603 Senate Relating to establishing the Washington coastal marine advisory council and the Washington marine resources advisory council. Signed Mon, May. 20, 2013
5607 Senate Relating to beer, wine, and spirits theater licenses. Signed Mon, May. 13, 2013
5615 Senate Relating to the health professional loan repayment and scholarship program. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5616 Senate Relating to the use of farm vehicles on public highways. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5620 Senate Relating to school safety. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5624 Senate Relating to aligning high-demand secondary STEM or career and technical education programs with applied baccalaureate programs. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5627 Senate Relating to the taxation of commuter air carriers. Signed Mon, Apr. 22, 2013
5630 Senate Relating to the enactment of the Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1277 adult family home quality assurance panel. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5634 Senate Relating to clarifying the department of natural resources' authority to enter into cooperative agreements. Signed Tue, Apr. 16, 2013
5644 Senate Relating to license issuance fees of former contract liquor stores, former state store auction buyers, and spirits distributors. Signed Sat, Jun. 29, 2013
5666 Senate Relating to health care quality improvement measures, including professional peer review. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5669 Senate Relating to trafficking. Signed Sun, May. 19, 2013
5674 Senate Relating to wine and beer sampling at farmers markets. Signed Mon, May. 13, 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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