How the Washington State Legislature Is Organized
The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 49 members elected to four-year terms. The House has 98 members elected to two-year terms. Washington is divided into 49 legislative districts, each represented by one Senator and two House members. The Legislature meets in regular session beginning in January each year. In odd-numbered years the session lasts up to 105 days; in even-numbered years up to 60 days. The Governor may call special sessions of up to 30 days when necessary. Legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor is codified in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Proposed legislation that has not yet been enacted is called a bill. Bills are assigned a number (e.g., HB 1117 for House Bill 1117, or SB 5000 for Senate Bill 5000).
How a Bill Becomes Law in Washington
A bill may be introduced in either the House or the Senate. The process generally follows these steps: 1. Introduction — A member introduces the bill, which is assigned a number and referred to a committee. 2. Committee hearing — The committee holds a public hearing where citizens and stakeholders may testify. 3. Executive session — The committee votes on whether to advance the bill, often with amendments. 4. Floor debate and vote — The full chamber debates and votes on the bill. 5. Other chamber — The bill repeats the committee and floor process in the other chamber. 6. Conference committee — If the two chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles them. 7. Governor's action — The Governor may sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without signature. The Legislature may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both chambers. Most laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, unless the bill contains an emergency clause making it effective immediately upon signing.
Finding Washington State Laws and Bills
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) The complete text of Washington State law is available at app.leg.wa.gov/RCW. The RCW is organized by Title and Chapter. Estate planning and probate law is primarily in Title 11. Consumer protection is in Title 19. Real property is in Title 64. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Agency rules and regulations are at app.leg.wa.gov/WAC. The Department of Revenue's estate tax rules are in WAC Chapter 458-57. Bill tracking Current and past session bills, hearing schedules, and committee information are at app.leg.wa.gov. You can search by bill number, keyword, or sponsor. The site also provides audio and video archives of committee hearings and floor sessions. Washington State Register Proposed agency rulemaking and other official notices are published in the Washington State Register at lawfilings.wa.gov.
Testifying Before the Legislature
Washington State allows members of the public to testify at committee hearings in person or remotely. The Legislature's website (leg.wa.gov) posts hearing schedules and instructions for signing up to testify. Written comments may also be submitted to committees for the record. During session, the Legislature's public hotline (1-800-562-6000) allows Washington residents to leave messages for their legislators. You can find your legislators by address at app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder.
The Legislature and Estate Planning Law
Washington's estate planning statutes have been significantly updated in recent years through legislative action. Notable examples include: HB 1117 (2014) — Authorized Transfer on Death Deeds for real property under RCW Chapter 64.80, allowing property owners to transfer real estate at death without probate. SB 5096 (2021) — Enacted Washington's capital gains tax (RCW Chapter 82.87), which imposes a 7% tax on long-term capital gains above $250,000. The Washington Supreme Court upheld the tax in Quinn v. State (2023). ESSB 5891 (2022) — Enacted the Washington Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (RCW Chapter 11.130), replacing the prior guardianship statutes effective January 1, 2022. HB 1465 (2021) — Updated Washington's trust decanting statute and other provisions of the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA). Christopher monitors legislative developments that affect estate planning in Washington State and updates his practice accordingly.