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Bill Action

Due to the extraordinary circumstances to protect the public’s health, the Governor’s Office will not hold public bill signings for any remaining bills from the 2020 legislative session.  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 Date
2476 House Relating to debt buyers. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2483 House Relating to vehicle impoundment and redemption following arrest for driving or being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
2486 House Relating to extending the electric marine battery incentive. Signed Fri, Apr. 3, 2020
2491 House Relating to authorizing the governor to enter into compacts with federally recognized Indian tribes principally located within Washington state for the issuance of tribal license plates and vehicle registration. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
2497 House Relating to adding development of permanently affordable housing to the allowable uses of community revitalization financing, the local infrastructure financing tool, and local revitalization financing. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
2499 House Relating to the certification of corrections officers. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
2505 House Relating to extending the business and occupation tax exemption for amounts received as credits against contracts with or funds provided by the Bonneville power administration and used for low-income ratepayer assistance and weatherization. Vetoed Fri, Apr. 3, 2020
2508 House Relating to simplifying the process for donating low-value surplus property owned by a city-owned utility. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2512 House Relating to interest and penalty relief for qualified mobile home and manufactured home owners. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
2513 House Relating to prohibiting the practice of transcript withholding and limiting the practice of registration holds at institutions of higher education as debt collection practices. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
2518 House Relating to the safe and efficient transmission and distribution of natural gas. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2524 House Relating to expanding the scope of agricultural products subject to requirements in chapter 15.83 RCW related to negotiation concerning production or marketing. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
2525 House Relating to establishing the family connections program. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2527 House Relating to protecting the rights of Washingtonians during the United States census. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2528 House Relating to recognizing the contributions of the state's forest products sector as part of the state's global climate response. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
2535 House Relating to providing for a grace period before late fees may be imposed for past due rent. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
2543 House Relating to ensuring eligible veterans and their dependents qualify for in-state residency. Signed Tue, Mar. 31, 2020
2544 House Relating to the definition of veteran. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
2545 House Relating to making jail records available to managed health care systems. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
2551 House Relating to permitting students to wear traditional tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and related events. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2554 House Relating to mitigating inequity in the health insurance market caused by health plans that exclude certain mandated benefits. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
2555 House Relating to background check requirements for firearms classified as other under federal firearms laws. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
2556 House Relating to providing regulatory relief for early learning providers. Signed Fri, Apr. 3, 2020
2565 House Relating to the labeling of disposable wipes products. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
2567 House Relating to the courts open to all act. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020

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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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