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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
2965 House Relating to the state's response to the novel coronavirus. Signed Tue, Mar. 17, 2020
5006 Senate Relating to allowing the sale of wine by microbrewery license holders. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
5097 Senate Relating to the licensure and certification of massage therapists and reflexologists. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
5144 Senate Relating to implementing child support pass-through payments. Signed Fri, Apr. 3, 2020
5147 Senate Relating to providing tax relief to females by exempting feminine hygiene products from retail sales and use tax. Signed Fri, Apr. 3, 2020
5149 Senate Relating to electronic monitoring with victim notification technology. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
5164 Senate Relating to providing public assistance to victims of certain crimes including human trafficking. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5165 Senate Relating to discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
5197 Senate Relating to the Washington national guard postsecondary education grant program. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
5282 Senate Relating to informed consent for pelvic exams. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
5291 Senate Relating to creating alternatives to total confinement for certain qualifying persons with minor children. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5323 Senate Relating to reducing pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5385 Senate Relating to telemedicine payment parity. Signed Thu, Mar. 19, 2020
5395 Senate Relating to requiring comprehensive sexual health education that is consistent with the Washington state health and physical education K-12 learning standards and that requires affirmative consent curriculum. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
5402 Senate Relating to improving tax and licensing laws administered by the department of revenue, but not including changes to tax laws that are estimated to affect state or local tax collections as reflected in any fiscal note prepared and approved under the process established in chapter 43.88A RCW. Signed / Partial Veto Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5434 Senate Relating to restricting possession of weapons in certain locations. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
5450 Senate Relating to superior court judges. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
5457 Senate Relating to the naming of subcontractors by prime contract bidders on public works contracts. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5473 Senate Relating to studying exceptions to provisions disqualifying individuals from receiving unemployment benefits for leaving work voluntarily without good cause. Signed Fri, Mar. 27, 2020
5481 Senate Relating to providing department of fish and wildlife officers interest arbitration under certain circumstances. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 2020
5488 Senate Relating to the sentencing of youth and young adults. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5519 Senate Relating to mosquito control districts. Signed Wed, Mar. 18, 2020
5522 Senate Relating to providing code cities with the ability to annex unincorporated areas pursuant to a jointly approved interlocal agreement with the county. Signed Wed, Mar. 25, 2020
5549 Senate Relating to modernizing resident distillery marketing and sales restrictions. Signed Tue, Mar. 31, 2020
5572 Senate Relating to modernization grants for small school districts. Signed Thu, Apr. 2, 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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