2016 Legislative Guide

Transcription

1 2016 Legislative Guide Washington Association of School Business Officials 284 Lee Street SW, Suite 132 Tumwater, WA January 2016

2 Topic Table of Contents Page Introduction.. Get Involved and Stay Informed WASBO Legislative Affairs Committee Schedule of K-20 Meetings..... Alliance of Education Association 2016 Legislative Priorities First Things First Finding Your Way Around the Capitol Capitol Campus Map.. Parking. Taking the Dash Shuttle The Legislative Process.... The Legislative Cycle.... Know How the Process Works.... Make Yourself the Expert..... Get to Know your Legislators... How to Contact Your Legislature.... Get to Know the Legislative Staff... Key Points to Remember when Contacting Your Legislature.... Your Opportunity to Testify... Committee Hearings..... Before the Hearing.... Prepare your Remarks.. Avoid Duplication... At the Meeting.... How the Meeting is Conducted... Making you Remarks.... Protocol for Testifying... Following Up After the Hearing... The Flow of Legislation..... Introduction or First Reading... Agendas, Schedules and Calendars.. Committee Action.. Rules Committee... Second Reading. Third Reading.... Concurrence, Dispute, and Conference Committees.. Governor s Actions.... Carryover.... Appendix Glossary of Legislative Terms i-xii

3 Introduction The Washington Association of School Business Official s Legislative Affairs Committee is pleased to offer the 2016 Legislative Guide as a resource for our members. The information provided on the following pages is a composite of resources and is intended to assist members in working with the Legislature during the Session which begins on January 11, Get Involved and Stay Informed The WASBO Legislative Affairs Committee provides valuable leadership to our members on Legislative and Rule-Making activities throughout the year. The Legislative Affairs Committee Chair is Rosalind Medina, Chief Financial Officer, Tacoma School District. The Legislative Affairs Committee co-chair is Corine Pennington, Chief Financial Officer for the Puyallup School District. During the 2016 Legislative Session, WASBO will post a summary of Bills being watched or acted upon on our website. Please continue to stay informed and involved in this year s important session. The WASBO Legislative Affairs Committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. Please contact the committee chairs ( rmedina@tacoma.k12.wa.us or pennicc@puyallup.k12.wa.us) to add your site to the K-20 list. In order to be included, agenda items must be received seven days prior to the meeting. To join this committee, please go to and click on Committees then on Legislative Committee and click join committees. WASBO belongs to the Alliance of Educational Associations (AEA), a consortium that includes the Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) and the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators (WAMOA) Legislative Priorities A strong and stable K-12 public education system is essential to sustain and ensure the quality of life and economic stability for Washington State citizens. Therefore, the Alliance of Education Associations urges the Legislature to: Comply with Paramount Duty Provide ample funding for all K-12 students by implementing the new basic education finance system as adopted in ESHB 2261 (2009) and SHB 2776 (2010). To ensure the new system is completely implemented with full and equitable funding by 2018, as ordered by the Supreme Court in McCleary v. State, the Legislature must demonstrate steady progress toward compliance with the Constitution in the 2016 Session Legislative Guide Page 1

4 Ensure Competitive Public School Employee Compensation Recognize that in our mutual commitment to increase student achievement, prioritizing resource solutions that will positively impact learning is critical. Current basic education labor costs must be funded before any reduction in the local levy. Failure to do so will undermine any other steps the Legislature take to fully fund basic education and will place districts in financial jeopardy. Ensure Adequate School Facilities Recognize that a plan to address basic education enhancements to comply with the McCleary decision also includes the provision for sufficient capital facilities to house teachers and students as K-12 class sizes are lowered and all-day Kindergarten is expanded as per ESHB 2261 and SHB Changes to the existing School Construction Assistance Formula should be made to meet this increased housing demand. In addition, support a simple majority vote for school bonds, as the need for expanded facilities is imminent. Review and Reform the Current Regressive Structure for Collection of State Revenue Recognize that reform of the Washington State tax structure is needed to ensure the Legislature is able to fully comply with the Constitutional Paramount Duty with regular and dependable sources of funding and also prevent drastic reductions of other necessary government services, which would have significant direct and indirect impacts on k-12 education Legislative Guide Page 2

5 First Things First Finding Your Way Around the Capitol Washington State Capitol Campus Map 2016 Legislative Guide Page 3

6 Finding Your Way Around the Capitol Parking 2016 Legislative Guide Page 4

7 Finding Your Way Around the Capitol Dash Shuttle Parking is limited in Olympia, so consider parking at the Farmers Market on Capitol Way and Market Street and taking the Dash Shuttle. The Shuttle operates every minutes Legislative Guide Page 5

8 The Legislative Process Every year the Legislature meets to engage in the process of public decision making. The objective is to reach consensus on a wide range of issues affecting every citizen and the future prosperity of Washington State. The process involves cooperation to make critical decisions in everyone's best interests. They receive a great deal of technical information from their staffs, state agency personnel and professional lobbyists. Yet, much of what they actually decide depends on the views, interests and preferences of the citizens who elect them. You can actively participate in the legislative process in a variety of ways. Select the method that allows the fullest expression of your l interest and commitment, but follow some basic steps. The Legislative Cycle The legislative cycle is two years long. Within that two-year cycle, there are two kinds of legislative sessions: regular sessions and extraordinary, or special, sessions. Regular sessions are mandated by the State Constitution and begin the second Monday in January each year. In the odd-numbered year, the regular session is 105 days; in the even-numbered year it is 60 days. Extraordinary sessions are called by the Governor to address specific issues, usually the budget. There can be any number of extraordinary sessions within the two-year cycle, and they can last no more than 30 days. Know How the Process Works For your individual participation to be most effective, a basic understanding of the whole legislative picture is essential. If there is something you do not understand about the process, ask someone who can provide an answer. Call the Legislative Information Center at Call your legislator's office. Read the How a Bill Becomes a Law page. Learn how to read a bill. Read the Legislative Overview page. Listen to or watch broadcasts of committee hearings to see how they are conducted. All committee hearings are broadcast live in streaming audio over our internet website and many hearings are televised live on TVW. How to find and follow the actions on a Bill Make Yourself the Expert Before you address an issue, do some homework. Know the whole issue: who it affects, what others feel about it, how it will influence future trends, and any other information you are able to gather. Thorough research allows you to present your viewpoint with confidence and credibility, and, combined with your personal experience, is the most effective information you can provide 2016 Legislative Guide Page 6

9 Get to Know Your Legislators To make a difference in the legislative process, you must develop a relationship with your legislators. Keep in mind that you can work effectively with someone, regardless of the personal opinions either of you may hold. Although you are unlikely to agree on every issue, you can still build a positive relationship in the long run. The best way to get to know your legislators on a personal basis is to spend time with them when the Legislature is not meeting. Arrange a meeting during the months between sessions when they are home. Your legislators are also your neighbors. You share many of the same interests and concerns, so make a strong effort to build on the common ground you both hold. Take the time to find out who they are as people. How to Contact Your Legislature Personal visit. Call the office, introduce yourself, tell the legislator or the legislative assistant what you would like to discuss, and make an appointment for a visit. Use the Member Rosters to find the phone numbers. If you plan a visit, be prepared for your discussion. Know what you want to say, be factual, and make your comments as brief and specific as you can. If you do not know something, be willing to admit it and offer to follow up with more information later, which is also an avenue for further discussion. Attend a Town Hall Meeting. Most legislators conduct periodic town hall meetings at various locations in their district. This is a good opportunity to meet your legislator and to express your views and concerns in an informal setting. Write a letter. Express your views and request the member's attention through the mail. Make your letter brief, to the point, clear, and formal. Include your mailing address and phone number so the legislator knows where to respond. Use the Member Rosters to find the mailing addresses. Send an message. Like letters, s should be brief, to the point, clear, and formal. Include your name and mailing address, as well as your address, and let the legislator know how you'd prefer to be contacted. Use the link to find the addresses for Legislators. Call the toll-free Legislative Hotline. You can call the toll-free Hotline at to leave a message on any issue. Testify before a committee. Make your views and positions known by testifying before a committee that is having public hearings on an issue or bill. Get to Know Legislative Staff Legislators rely heavily on professional staff for information gathering and analysis. You can play an equally supportive role by making sure staffs are aware of the perspective your personal knowledge and experience can provide. Legislative staff works on a wide range of issues. They always appreciate new sources of clear and accurate information, and they can provide you with the most current information they have Legislative Guide Page 7

10 Network with Other School Districts Find out whether there are groups that share your concerns and establish a network. A group of concerned educators can be much more effective working together, rather than as separate individuals trying to accomplish the same goal. Key Points to Remember Regardless of how frequently you contact your legislators, you will be far more effective if you follow these points: 1. Be well prepared for your discussions. 2. Provide a written statement with all verbal presentations. 3. Make letters and formal, specific, and concise. 4. Don't berate or argue with your legislator when you disagree. Simply thank the member for the time spent with you and express a desire for further discussion. Whatever position you represent, however, remember your participation makes a difference. Our legislative process is one way each of us may contribute to the quality of life we experience in our state. Your willingness to be a responsible, involved participant is crucial to the decision-making process. Your Opportunity to Testify Washington State has one of the most open legislatures in the country. A bill has a public hearing before Senate and House committees before being considered on the floor of the House and Senate. Your opportunity to testify comes at the committee hearings. If you cannot appear before a committee, contact your legislator making your position on a bill known. You can do so by writing a letter, sending an e- mail, calling the legislator's Olympia office, or by calling the Legislative Hotline at Senate Committees usually meet in hearing rooms in the John A. Cherberg Building and House Committees usually meet in the John L. O'Brien Building. Both buildings are adjacent to the Legislative Building in Olympia. Committee Hearings Legislative hearings are conducted informally. They are not judicial proceedings and the rules are somewhat relaxed. Anyone can testify; you do not need formal training. To find out when a hearing is scheduled: Click Schedules of committee hearings to obtain electronic copy of the weekly and daily schedules. Subscribe to the (Listserv). The Legislative Information Center also has copies of bills for distribution. Be sure to ask for any pending amendments or substitutes to particular bills. Notices of interim committee hearings are sent out by committees between legislative sessions and are available via the Legislature's Committee Notification Service (Listserv). Before the Hearing Prepare Your Remarks. Time is usually limited, so be brief and direct. Written testimony should not be read at committee hearings. Committee staff will distribute copies of written testimony to members of the committee if you bring a sufficient number -- one for each member. Writing your comments in outline form will be helpful when you speak, and you should summarize your written testimony Legislative Guide Page 8

11 Avoid Duplication If other persons will be offering similar testimony at the hearing, try to coordinate your testimony and avoid duplication. Well-organized testimony is the most effective. At the Meeting Be punctual; usually there is only one public hearing at which testimony is taken on a particular bill. Locate the computer terminal at entrance of the hearing room and enter your name, address, and whether you favor or oppose the bill. Check to see if copies of proposed amendments or substitute bills are available. Take your written materials to the committee staff for distribution. Talk to the committee staff if you are going to be using the presentation equipment. How the Meeting Is Conducted Be present at the beginning of the hearing. The committee chair will open the hearing on a particular bill. Frequently, opening comments will be made by the bill's sponsor or by committee staff. Sometimes, however, the chair will ask for testimony from proponents and opponents immediately. The chair will organize the hearing to ensure that: Committee members hear relevant information, Interested persons are given the opportunity to express their positions, and The hearing does not exceed the time available. Most committee hearings are limited to two hours and may have several matters pending. The chair will attempt to be fair and provide each person an opportunity to testify. It may be necessary, however, to restrict testimony so that everyone is given an opportunity to express his or her opinions. You may be called to testify with others to save time. Making Your Remarks Begin by introducing yourself to the chair and committee members and stating your purpose. For example, "Mr. or Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am John Doe from Spokane. I am here representing myself. I support this bill because..." In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing other citizens or a separate group. Be brief and be sure your remarks are clear. Avoid being too technical and do not repeat previously made remarks. You do not need to be nervous or worried about how you present your testimony. Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members. These are designed to gain additional information, but do not answer if you are not sure of the answer. Tell the members you will send a written answer to the committee, and then follow through. Restrict yourself to your testimony. Abstain from other overt demonstrations such as clapping, cheering, booing, etc Legislative Guide Page 9

12 Following Up After the Hearing You may wish to send a follow-up letter or to the Committee Chair and/or members of the committee confirming the important points of our testimony. Following the Hearing, continue to monitor the proposed legislation for modification or changes that may occur. Be sure to acknowledge and thank those members that responded to recommended changes. Contacts the Legislator s representing your school district and share your information with them as well. The Flow of Legislation Once a member introduces a bill, the legislative process begins. The process has a number of specific steps. If the bill makes it through all the steps in the chamber in which it was introduced (the "first house"), it goes to the other chamber (or "second house") and goes through the same steps there. Each step is identified and explained below. Pre-filing: Members can pre-file bills for introduction in the month before session begins. Pre-filed bills are officially introduced the first day of the session. Introduction or First Reading: The first thing that happens to bills on the "floor" is introduction and referral to committee. This is also referred to as the bill's first reading. (Bills must have three readings in each house in order to pass the Legislature.) Leadership determines to which committee s bills will be referred; this is usually determined by the bill's subject matter. Bills that require an appropriation or that raise revenue must also go to a fiscal committee for review. To see which bills will be introduced for the upcoming legislative day, go to the Agendas, Schedules, and Calendars page and display House Introductions or Senate Introductions. Committee Action: The chair of each committee works with leadership and staff to schedule bills to be heard by the committee. Committees hold three kinds of meetings: (1) work sessions, where issues are determined and reviewed; (2) public hearings, where testimony from interested parties is taken; and (3) executive sessions, where the committee decides how it will report the bill to the whole house. Not all bills get scheduled for hearing, so a good number of bills never get any further than committee. Bills can be reported in several fashions, the most usual being do pass (pass the bill just as it is), do pass as amended (pass the bill as amended by the committee), and do pass substitute (the committee offers a different version to take the place of the original bill). The members on the prevailing side sign the "majority" report; those members who disagree with the majority sign the "minority" report. Not all bills coming out of committee have minority reports. To see a list of bills reported out of House or Senate committee each day, go to Standing Committee Reports. As a bill moves through the committee process, the staff prepares the "bill report." The bill report includes a legislative history of the bill, background on the issue, a summary of the legislation, the names of those who testified on the bill, and a summary of the testimony for and against the bill Legislative Guide Page 10

13 The bill report is edited as the bill moves through the process. When the bill moves to the opposite house, that house prepares a bill report as well. A bill that has finally passed the Legislature would have House, Senate, and Final bill reports. At the start of the session, both houses agree on dates by which bills have to be reported out of committee in order to be eligible for further consideration by the Legislature. There is a "cut-off" date for bills to be out of committee in the first house and one for bills to be out of committee in the second house. Rules Committee: Once a bill has been reported by the appropriate committee(s), the floor acts on the committee report and then passes the bill to the Rules Committee. Usually, the floor adopts the committee's recommendation. The Rules Committee is where leadership exercises the most control over the process. The Rules Committee is made up of members from both parties. Each member on the committee gets to select two or three bills that will move on to the next step in the process. Which bills a member selects could be the result of a party caucus, or another member approaching that member, or a piece of legislation about which the member feels strongly. Rules Review /Rules White: The first step in the Rules Committee process is called Rules Review in the House and Rules White in the Senate (the report that lists the bills in this step in the Senate is printed on white paper). Rules Committee members review the bills and decide whether or not to move them on to the next step. Rules Consideration /Rules Green: The next step is called Rules Consideration in the House and Rules Green in the Senate (the report is printed on green paper). Sometimes bills skip this step and go to the calendar for second reading. It is another step that allows leadership to control the process. Calendars/Bill Report Books: The Rules Committee decides which bills will be scheduled for second reading. Those bills that will probably require some debate are placed on the regular calendar. Those that are probably not controversial may be placed on the suspension calendar in the House, the consent calendar in the Senate. The Rules Committee also decides whether a bill will be placed on the regular calendar or the suspension/consent calendar. Each house prepares documents that list the bills scheduled to be heard on the floor. The House prepares "bill report books" (containing an order of contents and the bill report of each bill on the calendar) and "floor calendars" (a list of the bills, a brief description for each, and the committee action on each). The Senate prepares "calendars" (with an order of contents and the bill report of each bill), and "flash calendars" (the list with the brief descriptions and committee actions). The Senate flash calendar lists only those bills that were "pulled" from Rules at the last Rules Committee meeting. To see which bills are on the calendar in either house, go to for the Senate Calendar or to for the House Calendar. Second Reading: It is on second reading that the chamber discusses the merits of the legislation. It is here, too, where members can offer amendments to the bill. Most bills that get this far, get their second reading in the couple of weeks following the committee cut-off. If a bill has been amended in committee or on the floor in the first house, it is ordered engrossed. Engrossing a bill means incorporating the amendments into the body of the bill so that the second house gets one document. If a bill has been amended in the second house, it is returned to the first house with the 2016 Legislative Guide Page 11

14 amendments attached so that the first house can decide whether or not it wishes to agree with the changes the second house made. Third Reading: Third reading is where the roll call vote on final passage is taken. If the bill finally passes, it continues in the process. If the bill fails on final passage, it goes no further. Under certain circumstances, the chamber may decide to reconsider the vote that was taken; in that case, the chamber has twenty-four hours to make a motion to reconsider the bill. If the bill passes third reading in the second house and the second house did not amend the bill, the bill has passed the Legislature. At the start of the session, both houses agree on "cut-off" dates by which bills have to be finally passed out of the first house and finally passed out of the second house. Concurrence, Dispute, and Conference Committees: If the bill has been amended by the second house, the first house has to decide whether it will concur in the amendments or not. Leadership decides which bills returned from the second house will be discussed and places those bills on the concurrence calendar (House) or concurring calendar (Senate). If the first house concurs in the amendments, the bill has passed the Legislature. If the first house disagrees with the second house, it can ask the second house to recede from the amendments. If the second house recedes, the bill has passed the Legislature. If the two houses cannot resolve their differences, one of them can ask for a conference committee. Members from each house meet to discuss the differences. If they agree on what is to be done, the conference committee makes a report. Both houses must adopt the conference committee report for the bill to pass the Legislature. If one house does not adopt the conference committee report (whether by vote or inaction), the bill has not passed. The House Floor Activity Report and the Senate Floor Activity Report list the bills on the concurrence, dispute, and conference calendars. Enrolling: Once a bill has finally passed the Legislature, it is enrolled. A certificate proclaiming that it has passed is attached and, if necessary, the amendments from the second house or conference committee are incorporated into the body of the bill. The bill is signed by the Speaker of the House, the Chief Clerk of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Secretary of the Senate and is sent to the Governor for his or her action. Governor's actions: The Governor reviews the bill. The Governor may decide to sign it, veto part of it, or veto all of it. If the Governor vetoes part or all of it, the Legislature may vote to override the veto. (That happens rarely.) If the governor does not act on a bill after the allotted number of days, it is as if it was signed. From the Governor's desk, bills go to the Secretary of State who assigns a session law chapter number. The Chapter to Bill Table (available on the Bill/Law Cross Reference page) lists the bills that have passed the Legislature, the chapter numbers assigned by the Secretary of State, vetoes, short descriptions, and the effective dates. Carryover: Just because a bill did not make it all the way through during the regular session in the oddnumbered year does not mean it is "dead." At the end of the session, all bills in the second house are returned to the first house; so a House bill in committee in the Senate when session ends is returned to the 2016 Legislative Guide Page 12

15 House. At the start of the next session, be it a special session or the next regular session, bills from the previous session are reintroduced and retained in their present position. "Carryover" bills can be taken up again in subsequent sessions during the biennium. The Legislature has a lot of latitude with these bills. The first house can place the bill on the calendar for third reading and send it right back to the second house, or it can make the bill go to committee and through the whole process again. This is in addition to the new bills introduced during the current session. This procedure can make it difficult to keep track of bills during a special session or the second regular session. If a bill does not make it through the process by the end of the two-year cycle, it is "dead." 2016 Legislative Guide Page 13

16 Glossary of Terms A AD HOC COMMITTEE ADOPTED AND ENGROSSED ADOPTED AS AMENDED AGENCY REQUEST BILL AMENDMENT APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE CHAIR APPORTIONMENT APPROPRIATION APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE AT EASE A committee formed for a short duration, usually to study a specific issue. This is the amendment document which includes the text of the original amendment and all additional amendments made to it. This is the original amendment. Text from additional amendments made to it are not included in this document. A request for legislation proposed by an agency of the executive branch of government. Any change in a bill, resolution, or memorial. A committee amendment is an amendment proposed in a committee meeting. A floor amendment is an amendment proposed on the floor of a legislative chamber. A striking amendment removes everything after the title and inserts a whole new bill. Amendments can be amended. A parliamentary procedure for challenging the decision of a presiding officer by asking the members to uphold or reject the decision. The division of the state into districts with distinct geographic boundaries and the allocation of the number of legislators or congressmen to be elected to represent each district. A legislative allocation of money for a specific purpose. The chief fiscal committee in the House. The committee is responsible for recommending how state monies will be spent. A pause in the proceedings of either house, usually for an indefinite time. B BAR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE BICAMERAL The rostrum within both houses behind which sit or stand the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and others as designated, for presiding over the body, recording, and processing legislation being considered by the houses. Composed of two chambers or two legislative bodies. The Washington State bicameral legislature is made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The legislative biennium is from the second Monday in January in odd-numbered years to the 2nd Monday in January two years later. BIENNIUM Two-year period. The Washington State fiscal biennium is from July 1 of odd-numbered years to June 30, two years later. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page i

17 BILL BILL DIGEST BILL DRAFTING OFFICE BILL HISTORY BILL INDEX BILL REPORT BILLS ON CALENDAR BUMPING A proposed law presented to the Legislature for consideration. Summary of a bill, prepared by the Code Reviser's office. Located in the Pritchard Building in the Code Reviser's office. Drafts legislation to be introduced to the Legislature. (Officially named the Statute Law Committee.) A record of the action taken on bills, resolutions and memorials. A list of legislative measures by subject matter. Summary of background and effect of bills, prepared by committee staff. Printed volumes with yellow covers distributed to each member's floor desk. Includes the full text of bills and proposed committee amendments on the pending calendar. Slang term for suspending the rules to allow a bill to be advanced from second to third reading without having the bill revert to the Rules Committee. C CALENDAR CALL OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE CALL TO ORDER CAPITAL BUDGET CAUCUS CHIEF CLERK CODE REVISER COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES COMPANION BILL A list or schedule of pending business. Each house has many types of calendars: Regular, Consent, Suspension, Concurring, Dispute, Conference, Gubernatorial Appointments. A procedure used to compel attendance of members. Notice given indicating the Legislature is officially in session. Also used to restore order during floor action. Appropriations made to state and local agencies for building and construction projects. A meeting of members of a body who belong to the same political party. A person elected by the members of the House of Representatives to record the official actions of the House and to be the chief administrative officer of the House. Operating under the supervision of the Statute Law Committee, this person codifies into the appropriate sections of the RCW those measures enacted into law by the Legislature and also codifies administrative rules adopted by executive branch agencies. A portion of a legislative body charged with examining matters specifically referred to it. Committees in each house that select the chairs and members of standing committees. A bill introduced in the same form in both the House and the Senate. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page ii

18 CONCURRENCE CALENDAR CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONFERENCE CALENDAR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CONFIRMATION CONFLICT OF INTEREST CONSENT CALENDAR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY COSPONSOR A list of own-house bills amended by the opposite body and returned for possible concurrence. A resolution relating to the internal operation of the Legislature, in which one house concurs in the action of the other; it may originate in either house. A list of bills to which both bodies have appointed conferees to discuss differences and seek resolution. A committee which may be appointed to discuss specific differences of opinion between the House and Senate on bills which have passed each house but with differing positions on one or more amendments. Approval by the Senate of gubernatorial appointments. Any interest, financial or otherwise, any business or professional activity, or any obligation which is incompatible with the proper discharge of duties. Special calendar of noncontroversial bills created by the Senate Rules Committee. Closely related to the Suspension Calendar used in the House. Proposed change in the Washington State Constitution which has been approved by twothirds of both houses of the Legislature. To be enacted, the proposed amendment must be placed on the next general election ballot and secure a simple majority of votes in favor of adopting the measure. A majority of those members elected to either the Senate or the House. In the Senate a constitutional majority is 25; in the House it is 50. Two or more persons proposing any document. CUTOFF DATES Time certain set by a legislative body for specified action such as bill introduction, committee action, or passage of bills by either house. D DAY CERTAIN DEPARTMENT REQUEST BILL DISPUTE CALENDAR DISSENT DIVISION Adjournment with specific day to reconvene. A request for legislation proposed by a department of the state (also known as agency request bill). Bills amended by one body where the second body refuses to concur and asks the first body to recede. Difference of opinion. A method of voting by standing. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page iii

19 DIVISION OF QUESTION Consideration of each item separately. E EFFECTIVE DATE EMERGENCY CLAUSE ENACTMENT ENGROSSED AMENDMENT ENGROSSED BILL ENROLLED BILL EX OFFICIO EXECUTIVE ACTION EXECUTIVE ORDER EXECUTIVE REQUEST BILL EXECUTIVE RULES EXECUTIVE SESSION The date a bill, once passed, becomes law. Unless a different date is specified, bills become law ninety days after Sine Die. A provision in a bill that allows a measure to become effective immediately upon the signature of the Governor. The passage of a bill by both houses and the signing by the Governor. When an amendment has been amended, the changes are worked into the text to create the engrossed amendment. A bill which reflects all amendments made in the house of its origin. A bill passed by both houses, which incorporates all amendments, and to which has been attached a certificate of enrollment indicating the date passed, votes cast on the bill, and the certifying officers' signatures. It is presented to the Governor for signature. Holding one office by virtue of or because of the holding of another office. Ex-officio members of a committee have voice but may not vote. 1. Executive action of a standing committee refers to final consideration of a bill by the committee. 2. Executive action on a bill already passed by both houses refers to action taken by the Governor. A directive or command from the Governor to agencies in the executive branch. Request for legislation proposed by the Governor. The House leadership committee that oversees matters relating to staff, the physical plant and equipment, and operational matters. The corresponding committee in the Senate is called Facilities and Operations. A meeting for committee members to discuss and vote on bills they wish to report out of committee. These meetings are open to the public but no testimony is taken. Note that in other contexts executive sessions are closed to the public. F FIRST READING First of three readings required to pass measures. Bills on first reading are introduced and referred to standing committees. FISCAL NOTE An estimate of the expected cost of a measure to state and/or local government. Fiscal notes are prepared by the affected agencies and the Office of Financial Management (OFM). Glossary of Legislative Terms Page iv

20 FLASH CALENDAR FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE A listing of bills on the second or third reading calendar for the next day's agenda in the Senate. The actual floor space, committed primarily to legislators' desks, on which the business of the Legislature is conducted. FLOOR RESOLUTION A written motion calling for action, which may be offered from the floor of either house. Floor resolutions are usually congratulatory, commendatory, or memorial. G GALLERY GRANDFATHER CLAUSE GREEN SHEET Areas of both chambers where public visitors may observe the Legislature in session. Inserted in a bill making provisions nonapplicable to activities or personnel involved prior to the enactment of the new legislation. The list of bills eligible for action by the Senate Rules Committee. Green sheet bills can be placed directly on the second or third reading calendar, if approved by a majority of the members of the Senate Rules Committee. Equivalent to the House Rules Consideration list. H HEARING HOPPER HOTLINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A legislative committee meeting at which witnesses present testimony on matters under consideration by the committee. Box located in the bill drafting area in which legislative measures are deposited for introduction. Toll-Free number ( ) operated by the Legislative Information Center by which citizens can leave brief messages to communicate their concerns and opinions to their legislators, the Governor, or the Lt. Governor. Lower chamber of our two-body legislature. The House has 98 members who serve two-year terms. I INDEFINITELY POSTPONE INITIATIVE To postpone without setting a definite time for consideration. A legislative power vested in the people. An initiative is proposed through a petition containing signatures of 8 percent of the number of voters voting in the last preceding regular gubernatorial election. There are two types of initiatives: 1. Initiative to the people. Original legislation by the voters, proposing a new law (or changing existing laws) without consideration by the Legislature. 2. Initiative to the Legislature. Original legislation by the voters, proposing a new law (or changing existing laws) for consideration by the Legislature at its next regular session. If not enacted, it is placed on the next general election ballot. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page v

21 INTERIM COMMITTEE ASSEMBLY A legislative practice during the interim of having some days devoted to committee hearings and caucuses in Olympia or another location within the state. J JARRC JLARC JOINT COMMITTEE JOINT RESOLUTION JOURNAL JTC Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee. Reviews agency rules to ensure consistency with legislative intent. Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. A joint, bipartisan committee which conducts performance audits, program evaluations and other oversight duties assigned by the Legislature. Committee which consists of members from both houses. An act of the Legislature which proposes an amendment to the state Constitution for reference to the people for acceptance or rejection. To pass, joint resolutions must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members elected in each house. Official record of action of legislative session. Joint Transportation Committee. A joint committee composed of eleven senators and twelve representatives which conducts transportation studies between legislative sessions. L LEAP LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR LEGISLATIVE BUDGET NOTES LEGISLATIVE DIGEST AND HISTORY OF BILLS LEGISLATIVE ETHICS BOARD Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program. A joint committee that serves as the Legislature's independent source of information and technology with respect to budgets and revenue. Staff director of JLARC. Document providing detail about the biennial operating budget. A publication issued periodically containing the sponsors, titles, short digest of content, legislative actions, and veto messages of the Governor for each bill, memorial, resolution, and gubernatorial appointment. Nine-member board with four legislators and five nonlegislators. Authority to interpret and apply the state ethics law for legislators and staff by training, advisory opinions, and complaints. M MADE ELIGIBLE TO BE PLACED ON SECOND READING The bill has passed the first of two steps in the rules committee which will decide if the bill will be placed on the floor calendar for a second reading. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page vi

22 MAJORITY LEADER MAJORITY PARTY MAJORITY REPORT MEASURE MINORITY PARTY MINORITY REPORT MOTION TO RECONSIDER MOVE Leader of the majority party in the state Senate. In the House, second in command to the Speaker. Elected by the majority caucus in each body. The party numbering the most members in a legislative body. Document bearing the signatures of a majority of the members of a committee recommending a particular action on a measure. Any matter before a body such as a bill, memorial, or resolution. A party numbering less than a majority of members in a legislative body. Document carrying signature(s) of a minority of the members of a committee recommending an action different from the majority. A motion which, if it succeeds, would place a question in the same status as it was prior to a previous vote on that question. A formal request for action. N NULL AND VOID CLAUSE Language specifying that a measure is invalid unless funding is provided in the budget by a specified date. O OPERATING BUDGET ORDER OF BUSINESS ORDER OF CONSIDERATION Two-year plan for funding ongoing activities of state agencies, except transportation. The usual order of daily activities of a body, set out in its rules. A list of measures anticipated to be acted upon by the House or Senate on a particular day. P PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY PASSAGE OF BILL PASSED TO RULES COMMITTEE FOR SECOND READING PDC Question posed to chair for clarification of a point in the proceedings. The act of passing a bill by either or both houses of the Legislature. The bill has been sent to the Rules Committee which will decide if the bill will be placed on the floor calendar for a second reading. Public Disclosure Commission. Oversees the reporting of information filed by lobbyists, state agencies, legislators, candidates and political committees on the amount of money spent on the political process and enforces the campaign laws. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page vii

23 PLACED ON SECOND READING BY RULES COMMITTEE The bill has been sent to the floor of the House or Senate and placed on the floor calendar for a second reading. PLURALITY POINT OF ORDER POSTPONE TO A DAY CERTAIN PREFILING PRESIDENT PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE PREVIOUS QUESTION PRIME SPONSOR PROCLAMATION PROVISO PULL PUT THE QUESTION The person or alternative with the most votes between two or more choices; as opposed to a "simple majority," meaning 51 percent or more of those present and voting. A "constitutional majority" is 51 percent or more of those elected to the House or Senate. A demand or request by a member for a legislative body to adhere to its rules of procedure. To defer consideration until a later time or day. The act of introducing a bill prior to the beginning of session. Prefilling starts on the first Monday in December prior to the commencement of the session, or twenty days prior to a special session. Presiding officer of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of the state. A senator elected by the Senate to discharge the duties of presiding officer in the Lieutenant Governor's absence. A motion to close debate and bring the pending question or questions to an immediate vote. The originator or first name on a bill or amendment that has been introduced. An order issued by the Governor, such as a proclamation calling a special session of the Legislature. A clause in a bill that sets out specific exceptions to the general law. Slang term for moving a bill. For example, Rules Committee members may move (pull) bills from the Green sheet to the floor for action by the full Senate or from the White sheet to the Green sheet, or members may vote to pull a bill from a committee to the floor. When the presiding officer instructs the body regarding what it is about to vote on. Q QUORUM A majority of members of the group concerned. This means a majority of those elected to either house; in a committee, this means a majority of members assigned to the specific committee. R RCW RECEDE Revised Code of Washington - A codification of current statutes as enacted and amended. To withdraw from an amendment in which the other house refused to concur. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page viii

24 RECOMMITTED BILL RECONSIDER RED BOOK REFER REFERENDUM REFERENDUM MEASURE RELIEVED REPEAL REPEALER CLAUSE REPORTING OUT RE-REFER REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON (RCW) ROLL CALL RULE SUSPENDED RULES RULES COMMITTEE RULES CONSIDERATION A procedure whereby a bill is referred back to a standing or conference committee for further consideration. A bill may be recommitted at any time, usually on second or third reading. Recommitment of bills can be used to kill a bill during the final days of a session. To vote again on a question previously before the body. The legislative manual: The biennial publication that contains the rules of each body, joint rules, biographical and other information about the Legislature and state government. To send a measure to a committee for study and consideration. Recently passed legislation referred by the Legislature to the voters for their rejection or enactment. The legislative power whereby the electorate may call back recently enacted laws for voter consideration. It originates in a petition containing signatures of 4 percent of those registered and voting at the last preceding regular gubernatorial election. A committee may be relieved of further consideration of any bill in either house by a majority vote of the members of the particular house. To revoke or abrogate by legislative action. The section of a bill that lists which RCW sections and chapters of law are revoked and abrogated by the proposed legislation. Action by a committee on a measure which moves the measure out of the committee. A measure may be reported out with a do pass, do not pass, amend, substitute, refer to another committee, or no recommendation. To reassign a measure to a different committee. A codification of current statutes as enacted and amended. Record of how members voted on a particular issue or question. To temporarily set aside a rule. Regulating principles used in the conduct of legislative business. Committees in each house responsible for setting the daily calendars of the Senate and House. The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, respectively, serve as chairs of these committees. The list of bills eligible for action by the House Rules Committee. Bills on the Rules Consideration list can be placed on the second reading or third reading calendar, if approved by a majority of the members of the House Rules Committee. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page ix

25 RULES REVIEW The list of bills eligible for consideration to be moved to the House Rules Consideration list or calendar. Equivalent to the Senate White sheet. S SCOPE AND OBJECT SECOND READING SELECT COMMITTEE SESSION SEVERABILITY CLAUSE SHORT TITLE SINE DIE SPEAKER SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS SPECIAL SESSION SPONSOR STANDING COMMITTEES STATE OFFICIALS STATUS SHEET STATUTE A parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer as to whether a proposed amendment fits within the subject matter of the bill under consideration. Senate and House rules prohibit amendments which change or expand the scope and object of a bill. The reading of a bill for the second time, in full, in open session, opening it to amendatory action. A committee appointed to consider a particular topic for a limited time. Used interchangeably with special committee. Official meeting of the Legislature. The Constitution provides for one 105-day regular session during odd-numbered years and one 60-day regular session during even-numbered years each biennium. A section of a bill which instructs the court that if one section of the act is found unconstitutional, the remainder of the act will remain intact. An abridged description of the bill. To conclude a regular or special session without setting a day to reconvene. Presiding officer of the House of Representatives. A motion to take up a specified measure at a specific time. A session of no more than 30 days, convened by the Governor or the Legislature, following adjournment of the regular session. The Legislature, upon two-thirds vote of all members, may call itself into special session. Member offering a bill, amendment, resolution or memorial. Committees set up by the Legislature to last for the entire length (two years) of a legislature. The nine elected statewide administrative officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner of Public Lands, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. A daily publication during session giving status of bills pending or acted upon by the Legislature. A law enacted by the Legislature. Glossary of Legislative Terms Page x