The Law Library Guide to the 2022 Legislative Session
I am calling on the Legislature to act quickly on a number of pressing issues, including, increasing affordable housing and providing additional supports for those without shelter; continuing our work to address climate change and clean energy; ensuring that salmon can thrive; making necessary adjustments to police accountability and to the long-term care act; and ensuring consequences for those who seek to undermine our election system. — Governor Inslee’s statement on the start of the 2022 legislative session, January 10, 2022
The Washington State Legislature kicked off its 2022 session on Monday, January 10, with opening ceremonies in the House and Senate. Both chambers continue to operate under pandemic-related restrictions related to the Omicron variant. At this time, the House floor will operate remotely and the Senate floor is restricted to a limited number of members. While the galleries are not open to the public, and most legislators cannot attend the session in-person, Washingtonians can keep up with the legislative activity using the Legislature’s website and live streaming video on TVW. For more details about changes to the session related to the pandemic, visit the House and Senate Covid-19 Operations pages.
To find out which bills are being considered by the Legislature this year, visit the Topical Index or search bills by bill number, key word, or statute chapter or section number. The Legislature has provided detailed instructions on searching for bills here. In addition, several news outlets have summarized major legislation being considered this year. According to sources like Crosscut, the Seattle Times and KNKX, topics to watch include the long-term care payroll tax, poverty, policing reforms, education, housing, foster youth, climate, sustainability, the pandemic, and transportation.
Here are some common questions we receive at the library about researching current legislation:
How do I determine the status of a bill I’m interested in?
Detailed legislative status reports can be run on specific bills, a range of bills, or all session bills at the Legislature’s Bill Status Report page. If you have bills that you would like to track throughout the legislative session, you can register for a bill tracking account. Quick status tools are also available at the Legislative Information Center’s website. Action taken by the Governor for bills passed by the Legislature will be listed on the Governor’s Bill Action page.
I heard I can now testify remotely on a bill in a committee hearing. Is this true?
Remote testimony began as a pilot program in 2020 and has expanded to Zoom for meetings in 2022 in the wake of COVID-19. According to the House Session Operations Plan, “The public can sign up to provide testimony over the virtual platform once a bill is scheduled for public hearing. The sign-up will close one hour prior to the start of the meeting. Those testifying will be provided an individual Zoom link in order to participate. Committee Chairs will continue to decide the order and length of the public testimony. Additionally, the public may provide written testimony for bills scheduled for a public hearing. Written testimony for a bill will close 24 hours after the start time of the hearing.”
Locate the committee considering a bill by searching the bills or checking the Topical Index. Then look at committee schedules, agendas, and review documents here, before finding the House, Senate, or Joint Committee meeting remote testimony sign in here. More information on your testimony options, along with tips on testifying, can be found at the Legislature’s website. The Legislative Information Center has put together an Accessing the Legislature Remotely resource list for navigating this year’s remote session.
What legislative materials can I access at the Legislature’s website besides just the bills?
You can find a bill using one of the search features at the Legislature’s Bill Information page, which includes a topical index and cross-reference by statute number or chapter. Once you find a specific bill, you can access the text of the original bill, as well as substitute bills and the law as it passed the Legislature. Bills can be amended at various stages of the legislative process, and amendments, whether adopted or not, can be accessed at the bill history page. You can also find the bill digest, bill reports, fiscal notes, and committee hearing videos.
What do all of these legislative terms mean?
When we are stumped by legislative terms we use the Legislature’s Glossary of Legislative Terms. Educators may find the printable version of the glossary helpful in the classroom.
I want to contact my legislator. I don’t even know my legislative district. Is there a quick way to find that out?
Yes! Go to the Washington State Legislative District Finder and enter your address. Your legislative district and state representative and senator will be listed on a map. Click on a legislator’s name and you will be directed to their information with an email link. This works for your federal congressional district too! The Legislature’s website also has a How to comment on a bill information page and a publication called Methods for Contacting Your Legislators.
The Washington State Law Library is equipped to help you with your legislative research needs. If you don’t see an answer to your question here or need assistance with researching older legislation, please give us a call at 360–357–2136. You can also email us at library.requests@courts.wa.gov if you would like a copy of our legislative history research guide or would like assistance by email. (WB)
