Title 44, Title 44 STATE GOVERNMENT—LEGISLATIVE

Regular sessions of the legislature shall be held annually, commencing on the second Monday of January.[ 1980 c 87 s 27; 1979 ex.s. c 48 s 1; 1891 c 20 s 1; RRS s 8177.]Notes:Effective date—1979 ex.s. c 48: "This 1979 act shall take effect on January 1, 1980, if the proposed amen…

The legislature may convene a special legislative session as follows:(1) A resolution calling for convening a special legislative session shall set forth the date and time for convening the session, the duration of the session which shall not exceed 30 days, together with the pur…

The regular term of office of each senator and representative shall commence on the second Monday in January following the date of election.[ 1987 c 13 s 1; 1981 c 288 s 68. Formerly RCW 44.07B.870.]

The chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate are hereby directed to prepare vouchers for the state treasurer for the mileage and daily pay of members of the legislature on presentation of certificates showing amounts due for miles traveled and s…

Upon presentation of a warrant drawn as provided for in RCW 44.04.040, to the state treasurer, that officer shall pay the same out of any money in the treasury of the state appropriated for the expenses of the legislature of the state of Washington: PROVIDED, That should there be…

The chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate shall prepare vouchers for the state treasurer for sums covering amounts due officers and employees of the legislature on presentation of certificates signed by the speaker or president, and countersi…

Upon presentation to the state treasurer of a warrant drawn as provided for in RCW 44.04.050, that officer shall pay the same from any money in the state treasury appropriated for the expenses of the legislature of the state of Washington: PROVIDED, That should there be no money …

The chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate are hereby directed to prepare vouchers for the state treasurer for the incidental expenses of the legislature, on presentation of certificates showing amounts due for material furnished and services …

Upon presentation of a warrant, drawn as provided for in RCW 44.04.060, to the state treasurer, that officer shall pay the same out of any money in the treasury of the state appropriated for the expenses of the legislature of the state of Washington: PROVIDED, That should there b…

The state treasurer shall issue warrants for said reimbursement supported by affidavits that the reimbursement is claimed for expenses of subsistence and lodging actually incurred without itemization and without receipts. Such warrants shall be immediately paid from any funds app…

Any person desiring to contest the election of any member of the legislature, may, at any time after the presumptive election of such member and before the convening of the ensuing regular session of the legislature, have the testimony of witnesses, to be used in support of such …

Each member of the senate or house of representatives when serving on official legislative business shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of per diem or any other payment, for each day or major portion thereof in which he or she is actually engaged in legislative business or busi…

Each member-elect of the senate or house of representatives who attends any meeting of the legislature or any of its committees, upon the invitation of the committee on rules of his or her respective house, shall be entitled to receive per diem, mileage, and incidental expense al…

It shall be the duty of each association of municipal corporations or municipal officers, which is recognized by law and utilized as an official agency for the coordination of the policies and/or administrative programs of municipal corporations, to submit biennially, or oftener …

After June 12, 1980, all references in the Revised Code of Washington to a regular session of the legislature mean a regular session during an odd- or even-numbered year unless the context clearly requires otherwise.[ 1980 c 87 s 1.]

(1) All statutes, memorials, and resolutions enacted, adopted, or amended by the legislature after July 1, 1983, shall be written in gender-neutral terms unless a specification of gender is intended.(2) No statute, memorial, or resolution is invalid because it does not comply wit…

The chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate shall prepare vouchers for the state treasurer for sums covering amounts due a school district for any teacher who is on a leave of absence as a legislator, and who has chosen to continue insurance be…

Upon presentation to the state treasurer of a warrant issued by the treasurer and drawn for the purposes under RCW 44.04.230, the treasurer shall pay the amount necessary from appropriated funds. If sufficient funds have not been appropriated, the treasurer shall endorse the warr…

The chief clerk of the house of representatives may authorize surplus computers and computer-related equipment owned by the house, the secretary of the senate may authorize surplus computers and computer-related equipment owned by the senate, and the directors of legislative agen…

The joint legislative audit and review committee, the joint transportation committee, the select committee on pension policy, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, the office of legislative support services, the joint higher education committee, and the…

(1) The legislature recognizes that language used in reference to individuals with disabilities shapes and reflects society's attitudes towards people with disabilities. Many of the terms currently used diminish the humanity and natural condition of having a disability. Certain t…

The house and senate transportation committees shall periodically review the six-year comprehensive plans submitted by cities and counties for expenditures for bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian facilities prepared pursuant to RCW 35.77.010 and 36.81.121.[ 1977 ex.s. c 235 s 12;…

(1) The joint transportation committee is created. The executive committee of the joint committee consists of the chairs and ranking members of the house and senate transportation committees. The chairs of the house and senate transportation committees shall serve as cochairs of …

The members of the joint transportation committee will receive allowances while attending meetings of the committee or subcommittees and while engaged in other authorized business of the committees as provided in RCW 44.04.120. Subject to RCW 44.04.260, all expenses incurred by t…

(1) The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, at the direction of the legislative oral history committee, shall administer and conduct a program to record and document oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Washington …

(1) A legislative oral history committee is created, which shall consist of the following individuals:(a) Four members of the house of representatives, two from each of the two largest caucuses of the house, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;(b) Four member…

The legislative oral history committee shall have the following responsibilities:(1) To select appropriate oral history interview candidates and subjects;(2) To select transcripts or portions of transcripts, and related historical material, for publication;(3) To advise the secre…

The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may fund oral history activities through donations as provided in RCW 44.04.340 and through funds in the legislative gift center account created in RCW 44.73.020. The activities may include, but not b…

(1) The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may solicit and accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, and sell, lease, exchange, invest, or expend these donations …

The legislative oral history account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All moneys received under RCW 44.04.340 and from the legislative gift center account created in RCW 44.73.020 must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be made only fo…

(1) A joint higher education committee is created.(2) The purpose of the joint higher education committee is to:(a) By December 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, review the work of the student achievement council and provide legislative feedback;(b) Engage with the student achiev…

(1) The joint higher education committee shall consist of the following members:(a) Four members of the house of representatives, two each appointed by the leadership of the two largest caucuses, with at least one member from each caucus who is a member of the house of representa…

(1) The joint higher education committee shall meet at least twice annually after the conclusion of the legislative session.(2) The members of the joint higher education committee shall serve without additional compensation, but shall be reimbursed in accordance with RCW 44.04.12…

The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may administer and conduct a legislative page scholarship program to provide resources for Washington students who participate in the page programs of the senate or house of representatives. The schol…

(1) The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may solicit and accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, and sell, lease, exchange, or expend these donations or the p…

The Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All moneys received under RCW 44.04.370 must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be made only for the purposes of the legislative page sc…

The chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate shall develop and provide a training course for registered lobbyists regarding the legislative code of conduct and any policies related to appropriate conduct adopted by the senate or the house of rep…

The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may administer and conduct the Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship to provide resources for Washington students who participate in the legislative internship program of the senate…

(1) The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives may solicit and accept gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, and sell, lease, exchange, or expend these donations or the p…

The Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All moneys received under RCW 44.04.405 must be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be made only for the purposes of the Rosa Franklin le…

A Washington state—British Columbia interparliamentary exchange group is created. The purpose of the group is to facilitate legislator-to-legislator communication between the two governments, in coordination with the province of British Columbia. The state's representative for th…

This act may be cited as the Washington State Redistricting Act.[ 1983 c 16 s 1.]

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise.(1) "Chief election officer" means the secretary of state.(2) "Federal census" means the decennial census required by federal law to be prepared by the United States bur…

A redistricting commission shall be established in January of each year ending in one to accomplish state legislative and congressional redistricting. The five-member commission shall be appointed as follows:(1) Each legislative leader of the two largest political parties in each…

Before serving on the commission every person shall take and subscribe an oath to faithfully perform the duties of that office. The oath shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.[ 1983 c 16 s 4.]

No person may serve on the commission who:(1) Is not a registered voter of the state at the time of selection; or(2) Is or has within one year prior to selection been a registered lobbyist; or(3) Is or has within two years prior to selection been an elected official or elected le…

No member of the commission may:(1) Campaign for elective office while a member of the commission;(2) Actively participate in or contribute to any political campaign of any candidate for state or federal elective office while a member of the commission; or(3) Hold or campaign for…

(1) The commission may employ the services of experts, consultants, and support staff, including attorneys not employed by the attorney general, as necessary to carry out its duties pursuant to this chapter.(2) The chief election officer, the treasurer, and the attorney general s…

In addition to other duties prescribed by law, the commission shall:(1) Adopt rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to carry out the provisions of Article II, section 43 of the state Constitution and of this chapter, which rules shall provide that…

In the redistricting plan:(1) Districts shall have a population as nearly equal as is practicable, excluding nonresident military personnel, based on the population reported in the federal decennial census as adjusted by RCW 44.05.140.(2) To the extent consistent with subsection …