It's no secret to local, state and federal government that the leading cause of pollution in watersheds is non-point pollution.
Urban and municipal stormwater runoff transports pollutants such as trash, hydrocarbons, sediment and countless man-made chemicals to our lakes, rivers, bays and oceans each year.
Western Washington has a number of EPA listed Pathogen-impaired water bodies, including Lake Whatcom. But most of us wouldn't even know if we had a waterborne disease. In fact, public health officials acknowledge that the vast majority of waterborne disease cases go unreported because of the difficulties in diagnosing the cause of illness.
Nevertheless, public health papers indicate that up to 99 million Americans have acute gastrointestinal illness, costing insurance companies and citizens billions of dollars each year.
They also estimate that up to 40% of these illnesses may be caused by contaminated drinking water.
(Links to documents can be found at bottom of page)
Up to 32% of people tested have evidence of Cryptospordium infection by young adulthood.
Drinking water disease outbreaks have been linked to runoff; with more than half of documented waterborne disease outbreaks taking place after heavy rainfalls and/or snow melts.
In Milwaukee Wisconsin, spring rains and snow melt preceded the Cryptosporidium outbreak and may have played a role in transporting the oocysts. Public health officials estimated that 70 people died in Milwaukee (1993) and Las Vegas, Nevada (1994) as a result of the Cryptospordium outbreaks.
Urban and municipal streets, parking lots and lawns can generate large
amounts of bacteria, heavy metals and other contaminants in stormwater runoff. Runoff to surface water bodies are associated with concentrations of bacteria, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, fecal coliform and other microorganisms.
Increases in drinking water turbidity in public drinking water systems have been linked to acute gastronintestinal illnesses among children and older adults, even though the water is in compliance with EPA drinking water standards.
In light of recent flooding in Bellingham, Whatcom County and across Washington, I conducted a search of House and Senate legislation, but did not find any legislation regarding this issue.
However, the Washington State House Republican Caucus has posted the following information on their website in Olympia under the "issues" tab describing Urban or Municipal runoff and it's potential health effects. I could not find information on this issue on the other Caucus websites.
_____________________________
What is Urban or Municipal Stormwater?
Urban stormwater is water within higher population densities that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. It can also come from hard grassy surfaces like lawns, play fields, and from graveled roads and parking lots. As the water runs off these surfaces, pollution such as animal waste, chemicals, and oil are conveyed into larger bodies of water naturally or through a series of storm drains and pipes. These sources of pollution are considered non-point sources of pollution and can pose a problem to the health of residents and the environment. However, the discharge stormwater is a point source of pollution and requires a federal permit under the Clean Water Act (CWA) known as a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit (NPDES).
Why is Urban Stormwater a Problem in Washington?
Human Health: In general, untreated stormwater is unsafe. It contains toxic metals, organic compounds, and bacterial and viral pathogens. Untreated stormwater is not safe for people to drink, and is not recommended for swimming.
Salmon Habitat: In western Washington, urban stormwater harms/pollutes streams that provide salmon habitat. Alterations to the watershed such as building homes and other structures, and clearing away trees and shrubs are the leading causes for stormwater pollution.
Drinking Water: In some areas of Washington, notably Spokane County, and parts of Pierce and Clark counties, gravelly soils allow rapid infiltration of stormwater. Untreated stormwater discharging to the ground could contaminate aquifers that are used for drinking water.
Degraded Water Bodies: Virtually all of our urban embankments, creeks, streams, and rivers are harmed by urban stormwater. Stormwater is the leading contributor to water quality pollution of urban waterways.
State Authority and the Clean Water Act (CWA)
DOE is the agency responsible for administrating and enforcing the federal Clean Water requirements in Washington State as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delegated their authority to the DOE. This state department also regulates our own state’s water quality standards found under the Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48). Any water quality discharge permit, whether it is a general permit or an individual permit, an NPDES permit or a state water quality permit, must be approved and regulated by DOE. The only exceptions to these permits are federal and tribal institutions. Another point to consider is the federal NPDES permit only applies to "waters of the US" which includes all marine waters and rivers which are generally referred to as navigable.
The state water quality discharge permits which are found under the state’s Water Pollution Control Act applies to "waters of the state" which are all other surface waters, including groundwater within the state of Washington.
History of Urban Stormwater Regulations:
In 1987, congress changed the federal Clean Water Act by declaring the discharge of stormwater (traditionally considered a nonpoint source) from certain industries and municipalities to be a point source of pollution requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits or water quality discharge permits.
Phase I Stormwater Permits:
The EPA stormwater regulations established two phases for the stormwater permit program. Phase I stormwater NPDES permits have been issued to cover stormwater discharges from certain industries, construction sites involving five or more acres, and municipalities with a population of more than 100,000 which have a municipal separate stormwater system (MS4s).
The public entities that are covered under Phase I Municipal Stormwater NPDES permits include: King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Clark County, City of Seattle, the City of Tacoma, and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Phase II Stormwater Permits
On October 29, 1999, the final Phase II stormwater regulations were signed into rule by EPA. The Phase II regulations expand the requirement for stormwater permits to small municipalities with MS4s located in urbanized areas, and to construction sites between one and five acres. The rule also requires an evaluation of cities outside of urbanized areas that have a population of 10,000 or more to determine if a permit is necessary for some or all of these cities. Under the new rule, more than ninety additional municipalities in Washington, were "on the bubble" as to whether they would be required to have a Phase II Stormwater permit. Some of these "bubble cities" are located in Eastern Washington where annual precipitation is very low and the likelihood of stormwater runoff is considered by many to be insignificant. As the DOE is the regulating authority for water quality permits, the director of Ecology made the decision to require all "bubble cities" to obtain and comply with Phase II Stormwater Permits.
Western and Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permits:
The EPA phase II regulations went into effect in early 2003 and apply to all regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems.
On January 17, 2007 Ecology issued two phase II municipal stormwater permits, one for western Washington and one for eastern Washington.
• The Phase II permit for western Washington covers at least 80 cities and five counties, and took effect on January 17, 2007.
• The Phase II permit for eastern Washington covers 20 cities and eight counties, and took effect on February 16, 2007.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Both the Phase I and Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permits require the implementation of a Stormwater Management Program. The Stormwater Management Program is a plan for the term of the permit to reduce the discharge of pollutants, reduce impacts to receiving waters, eliminate illicit discharges, and make progress towards compliance with surface water, ground water and sediment standards.
Under current law, urban stormwater activities are regulated under the method of best management practices or BMPs. The definition of BMPs as defined in the state’s stormwater manuals are defined as "as schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and structural and/or managerial practices, that when used singly or in combination, prevent or reduce the release of pollutants to waters of Washington State."
Comments
Current and anticipated federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Clean Water Act stormwater requirements are only placing more demands on state and local governments for staffing and resources. Urban stormwater management represents a significant funding challenge for both local and state governments, as well as a potential outstanding liability due to third party actions as allowed under the CWA.
http://hrc.leg.wa.gov/issues/Issues101/NaturalResourcesWater/MunicipalStormwater.pdf
Additional background information:
Lake Whatcom Parametrix Report: http://www.whatcomcounty.us/pds/shorelines_critical_areas/pdf/Vol_IV_Cumulative_Analysis_Draft_06-30-06_Commission.pdf
City of Bellingham Lake Whatcom Stormwater Management Program:
Evaluation of Stormwater Phosphorus and Recommended Management Options
http://www.cob.org/documents/pw/storm/lake-whatcom-stormwater-management-program.pdf
City of Bellingham Stormwater Comprehensive Plan
http://www.cob.org/documents/pw/storm/2007-stormwater-comp-plan.pdf
Estimates of incidence and costs of intestinal infectious diseases in the United States. (multiple authors)
Cryptosporidiosis: An Outbreak Associated with Drinking Water Despite State-of-the-Art Water Treatment (multiple authors)
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/124/5/459?ijkey=03a7872a92e5f99b753ab874b7b9c277be036b39&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
A Massive Outbreak in Milwaukee of Cryptosporidium Infection Transmitted through the Public Water Supply (multiple authors)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/331/3/161?ijkey=596f3faadffedc739e080985908466b90910fb0e&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
A randomized trial to evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal disease due to consumption of drinking water meeting current microbiological standards.
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/6/703?ijkey=c50ddab1c0abdb0bba9355819ea6a8127307f8dc&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
The Association Between Extreme Precipitation and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States, 1948–1994
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/8/1194?ijkey=32e6d032c39397b7611ea4e74f47858dfd6fe0e5&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
Showing posts with label Washington State Legislature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington State Legislature. Show all posts
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Skills for the Next Washington Legislation
What's happening in Olympia?
Governor Gregoire's The Next Washington is an action plan for "Growing Jobs and Income in a Global Economy" and among its three components are education and skills— "the most important investment we can make in our economic future."
The Next Washington calls for improving partnerships among workforce and economic development efforts at the state and regional levels.
The Washington State Workforce Board, in collaboration with its economic and workforce development partners, has developed a plan for coordinating workforce and economic development at the state and local levels focusing on a cluster-based approach. The recommendations from this plan has now been introduced as agency-request legislation.
Based on Governor Gregoire’s direction and a number of forums and discussions, this plan, called Skills for the Next Washington, presents a framework for coordinating workforce and economic development at the state and local levels focusing on a cluster-based approach. It does not attempt to describe comprehensively all the inter-related aspects of workforce and economic development or even all varieties of sector-based approaches. Sector strategies embody many approaches, of which a cluster-based approach is one.
Recommendations
1. Amend current programs to increase flexibility and efficiency in serving clusters. Before requesting new resources, it is critical to examine current programs to make certain that they are administered as efficiently as possible. In some cases, this may require statutory amendments. As an example, SBCTC is now reviewing the Customized Training Program to see whether changes would make the program easier for employers to use.
2. Codify common definitions for the terms “cluster,” “sector,” and “high demand. These terms are frequently used inconsistently, creating confusion and poor communication. By placing consistent definitions where these terms appear in state statute, it will help to alleviate this confusion.
3. Authorize the LMEA unit of ESD to conduct additional research on industry clusters. The LMEA unit of ESD is the state’s center of labor market data. LMEA, however, is not currently directed by state statute to conduct cluster research.
4. Request the Workforce Board, CTED, and the Economic Development Commission to coordinate planning for workforce and economic development, especially around industry clusters. While these three partner agencies do not need statutory authorization to coordinate planning around industry clusters, such authorization would lend a sense of long-standing commitment to a cluster approach, helping to address the state’s history of starts and stops in supporting clusters.
5. Add CTED and ADOs to the Workforce Compact describing roles and responsibilities. The parties represented on the Workforce Board formulated a compact in 2007 that delineates the roles and responsibilities of each organization. CTED and ADOs were not party to the compact. Since that time, the director of CTED has been added as a participating official on the Board. Adding CTED and the ADOs to the Compact would help communicate that workforce and economic development must work together.
6. Authorize the Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) to coordinate workforce development planning in their regions, with a special focus on industry clusters. The strategic planning responsibilities of the WDCs are not currently recognized in state statute, but are instead established by executive order and requirements adopted by the Workforce Board. While the WDCs already coordinate strategic planning and do emphasize industry clusters, placing this responsibility into state statute would reinforce this function and would be an important part of completing this state/local framework.
7. Authorize the WDCs and the ADOs to work together to coordinate planning for workforce and economic development in their area. Although the WDCs and ADOs do not require statutory authority to work together to support clusters, by placing this requirement in statute it would create a sense of sustained state support for this approach.
8. Place the community and technical colleges’ Centers of Excellence into statute. Statutory authorization would provide a foundation for ongoing support. The Centers should be described in statute without naming individual Centers in order to allow the colleges the flexibility to support Centers that match the changing economy.
The above recommendations can be implemented without necessarily requiring additional state resources. This is noted in light of the current revenue forecast for the next biennium. As things change and state leaders think about additional investments, investments in the above activities would be worthy of the state’s consideration. In addition, the State should consider the following two recommendations with clear budgetary impacts.
Provide funding for the CTED cluster grant program.The CTED cluster grant program provided resources that enabled several of the local cluster efforts to get off the ground. No funding has been provided during the current biennium.
Establish a state version of the federal WIRED grant to promote workforce and economic development in strategic industry clusters. The WIRED grant program provides flexible funds for workforce and economic development entities to work together to transform industries to be competitive in the 21st century. Local practitioners and policy leaders have frequently commented on the lack of funding that is not tied up in existing bureaucratic requirements.
2009 Legislation -- SB 5048 - House Campanion Bill HB 1323
History of Bills as of Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:42 PM
Sponsors:
Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Schoesler, Shin, Delvin, Kauffman, King, Pridemore
By Request:
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
Jan 2
Prefiled for introduction.
Jan 12
First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development. (View Original Bill)
Background Information
Governor Gregoire's The Next Washington is an action plan for "Growing Jobs and Income in a Global Economy" and among its three components are education and skills— "the most important investment we can make in our economic future."
The Next Washington calls for improving partnerships among workforce and economic development efforts at the state and regional levels.
The Washington State Workforce Board, in collaboration with its economic and workforce development partners, has developed a plan for coordinating workforce and economic development at the state and local levels focusing on a cluster-based approach. The recommendations from this plan has now been introduced as agency-request legislation.
Based on Governor Gregoire’s direction and a number of forums and discussions, this plan, called Skills for the Next Washington, presents a framework for coordinating workforce and economic development at the state and local levels focusing on a cluster-based approach. It does not attempt to describe comprehensively all the inter-related aspects of workforce and economic development or even all varieties of sector-based approaches. Sector strategies embody many approaches, of which a cluster-based approach is one.
Recommendations
1. Amend current programs to increase flexibility and efficiency in serving clusters. Before requesting new resources, it is critical to examine current programs to make certain that they are administered as efficiently as possible. In some cases, this may require statutory amendments. As an example, SBCTC is now reviewing the Customized Training Program to see whether changes would make the program easier for employers to use.
2. Codify common definitions for the terms “cluster,” “sector,” and “high demand. These terms are frequently used inconsistently, creating confusion and poor communication. By placing consistent definitions where these terms appear in state statute, it will help to alleviate this confusion.
3. Authorize the LMEA unit of ESD to conduct additional research on industry clusters. The LMEA unit of ESD is the state’s center of labor market data. LMEA, however, is not currently directed by state statute to conduct cluster research.
4. Request the Workforce Board, CTED, and the Economic Development Commission to coordinate planning for workforce and economic development, especially around industry clusters. While these three partner agencies do not need statutory authorization to coordinate planning around industry clusters, such authorization would lend a sense of long-standing commitment to a cluster approach, helping to address the state’s history of starts and stops in supporting clusters.
5. Add CTED and ADOs to the Workforce Compact describing roles and responsibilities. The parties represented on the Workforce Board formulated a compact in 2007 that delineates the roles and responsibilities of each organization. CTED and ADOs were not party to the compact. Since that time, the director of CTED has been added as a participating official on the Board. Adding CTED and the ADOs to the Compact would help communicate that workforce and economic development must work together.
6. Authorize the Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) to coordinate workforce development planning in their regions, with a special focus on industry clusters. The strategic planning responsibilities of the WDCs are not currently recognized in state statute, but are instead established by executive order and requirements adopted by the Workforce Board. While the WDCs already coordinate strategic planning and do emphasize industry clusters, placing this responsibility into state statute would reinforce this function and would be an important part of completing this state/local framework.
7. Authorize the WDCs and the ADOs to work together to coordinate planning for workforce and economic development in their area. Although the WDCs and ADOs do not require statutory authority to work together to support clusters, by placing this requirement in statute it would create a sense of sustained state support for this approach.
8. Place the community and technical colleges’ Centers of Excellence into statute. Statutory authorization would provide a foundation for ongoing support. The Centers should be described in statute without naming individual Centers in order to allow the colleges the flexibility to support Centers that match the changing economy.
The above recommendations can be implemented without necessarily requiring additional state resources. This is noted in light of the current revenue forecast for the next biennium. As things change and state leaders think about additional investments, investments in the above activities would be worthy of the state’s consideration. In addition, the State should consider the following two recommendations with clear budgetary impacts.
Provide funding for the CTED cluster grant program.The CTED cluster grant program provided resources that enabled several of the local cluster efforts to get off the ground. No funding has been provided during the current biennium.
Establish a state version of the federal WIRED grant to promote workforce and economic development in strategic industry clusters. The WIRED grant program provides flexible funds for workforce and economic development entities to work together to transform industries to be competitive in the 21st century. Local practitioners and policy leaders have frequently commented on the lack of funding that is not tied up in existing bureaucratic requirements.
2009 Legislation -- SB 5048 - House Campanion Bill HB 1323
History of Bills as of Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:42 PM
Sponsors:
Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Schoesler, Shin, Delvin, Kauffman, King, Pridemore
By Request:
Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
Jan 2
Prefiled for introduction.
Jan 12
First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development. (View Original Bill)
Background Information
S.B. 5048
Background on bill Bill Digest
Get Fiscal Note
Cluster Academy Summary
New High Skills, High Wages Strategic Fund
Workforce Board preliminary statewide cluster analysis
High Skills, High Wages Strategic Fund
New grant program to fund workforce/ economic development
Support MaterialsHigh employer demand programs PowerPoint for Public Forums Tomorrow's Workforce (Draft Chapter)Employer Survey (Fall 2007)Skills for the Next Washington State Core Measures Local WDC strategic plans Workforce Compact: Partnering for Performance
Workgroup Process
Monday, January 12, 2009
Citizen's Guide to the 2009 Washington State Legislative Session
Today is the first day of the 2009 Washington State Legislative Session. We have a number of New members for 2009 session, including State Senator Kevin Ranker, D-40th.
Latte Republic wishes our newest Senator a successful and productive legislative session!
Today's session activities can be viewed at TV Washington
Want to know more about the Washington State Budget? Background information and documents can be found at: State Budget Documents
Today's calendar can be found here: Agendas, Schedules and Calendars
Below, are links to information that can help citizens access information about bills and the legislature. The links will take you directly to the appropriate government site.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a bill become a law?
How do I contact my legislators?
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
How do I contact legislative staff?
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
How do I contact the Governor?
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Will you e-mail information to me?
I'd like to review a member's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find a law on a particular topic?
How do I download a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
I want to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
Can I get information from previous sessions?
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)updated?
How does a bill become a law?
LEGInfo provides several files that describe the legislative process.
Legislative Process Overview
How a Bill Becomes a Law, short version
Students' Page version
Glossary of Legislative Terms
How do I contact my legislators?
You have several options for contacting your state Representatives and Senators.
E-mail from their individual home pages or from the e-mail address lists provided by the House and Senate.
The toll-free in-state Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Their Olympia phone numbers as published in the House and Senate rosters.
The U.S. Postal Service.
Mail to House members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Representative John Doe
Washington State House of Representatives
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98502-0600
Mail to Senate members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Senator Jane Doe
Washington State Senate
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98502-0482
Members want to hear from their constituents and welcome your contacting them. They are very busy, especially during the session, so it is wise to follow a few simple guidelines.
Try the members who represent you first. If you do not know which district you live in, go to Find Your Legislator.
State your opinion or issue directly and politely. Have all your facts in hand.
If you wish to visit a member, make an appointment by calling the Olympia office number.
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
The best thing to do is to contact a member yourself using the e-mail, Hotline, phone, and mail options described above. The Support account does not forward messages to members.
How do I contact legislative staff?
You may contact legislative staff by phone.
Use the following numbers:
House of Representatives: (360)786-7750
House Office of Program Research (House Committee Services): (360)786-7200
Senate: (360) 786-7550
Senate Committee Services: (360) 786-7400
The Support account does not forward e-mail to legislative staff.
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
For U.S. Representatives, go to the directory of web sites of members by state of the U.S. House.For U.S. Senators, go to the directory of web sites of members by state for the U.S. Senate.
How do I contact the Governor?
Go to the Governor's Contact page. That page provides a link to the Governor's e-mail form, the mailing address, and the phone number.
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Most state agencies provide information on the Internet. Go to Access Washington for the state government's portal. That page provides a search feature ("Ask George") and indexes arranged by agency and subject.
If you know the person you wish to reach, use Access Washington's State Employee Directory.
Will you e-mail information to me?
The Legislative Information Center will be happy to e-mail information to you. Contact them at support@leg.wa.gov or at the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Want to review a member's voting record?
The voting records of House members become available following the session. Connect to the individual member's home page and click the Voting Record link.
LEGInfo does not provide access to the voting records of Senate members. Contact the Secretary of the Senate at 360.786.7550 for a Senator's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
The Secretary of State provides the best set of information on initiatives and referenda. The web page provides the text of the initiatives, names of the sponsors, and the ballot titles, and an overview of the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find law on a particular topic?
Use the LEGInfo Search feature. You can search for information on
Attorney General Opinions, Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the current session and Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the previous biennium.
Legislative Ethics Board Opinions
Executive Orders
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Washington State Registers
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
How do I print a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
To find a chapter of the RCW or WAC
Click Laws and Agency Rules.
Click the link to "Revised Code of Washington by Title" or "Washington Administrative Code".
Click the link for the desired title.
Click the link for the desired chapter.
Click the link at the top of the subsequent page that says "Complete Chapter."
LEGInfo does not support viewing or printing an entire title.
I would like to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January until the fourth Sunday in April (105 days). In the even-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January and goes for 60 days.
Parking on the Capitol Campus is scarce, and locations may change because of the construction related to the renovation of the John A. Cherberg Building.
The daily session start time varies, and, in fact, sometimes they come in just do some paperwork. If you want to see them debate bills, keep an eye on the Session Cutoff Calendar to find out when the cutoffs are, and come the week after committee cutoff. They usually start around 10:00 a.m. that week. You may also view or listen to committee on floor proceedings on the TVW web site.
You have options for checking the agendas for the floor sessions (also known as calendars):
Meeting Schedules
House Floor Activity Report
Senate Floor Activity Report
If you would like to sit in on a committee meeting, the Agendas, Schedules and Calendars page lets you know which committees are meeting on a particular date, and where. The first part of the Daily Schedule tells you when they are scheduled to come into general session and whether or not it is merely a pro forma session to handle some paperwork.
Can I get information from previous sessions?
LEGInfo provides access to bills and related documents back to 1997, from the Bill Information page. For information before 1997, contact the Legislative Information Center at 360.786.7573.
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) updated?
The RCW is updated once a year, usually late summer or early fall. It may also be updated following the General Election, if an initiative that changed the law was adopted by the people.
The WAC is updated every two weeks.
Glossary of Terms
Comments about this site
Privacy Notice
Accessibility Information
Disclaimer
Many thanks to the WA State Legislature for organizing this information for citizens!
:)
Latte Republic wishes our newest Senator a successful and productive legislative session!
Today's session activities can be viewed at TV Washington
Want to know more about the Washington State Budget? Background information and documents can be found at: State Budget Documents
Today's calendar can be found here: Agendas, Schedules and Calendars
Below, are links to information that can help citizens access information about bills and the legislature. The links will take you directly to the appropriate government site.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a bill become a law?
How do I contact my legislators?
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
How do I contact legislative staff?
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
How do I contact the Governor?
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Will you e-mail information to me?
I'd like to review a member's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find a law on a particular topic?
How do I download a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
I want to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
Can I get information from previous sessions?
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)updated?
How does a bill become a law?
LEGInfo provides several files that describe the legislative process.
Legislative Process Overview
How a Bill Becomes a Law, short version
Students' Page version
Glossary of Legislative Terms
How do I contact my legislators?
You have several options for contacting your state Representatives and Senators.
E-mail from their individual home pages or from the e-mail address lists provided by the House and Senate.
The toll-free in-state Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Their Olympia phone numbers as published in the House and Senate rosters.
The U.S. Postal Service.
Mail to House members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Representative John Doe
Washington State House of Representatives
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98502-0600
Mail to Senate members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Senator Jane Doe
Washington State Senate
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98502-0482
Members want to hear from their constituents and welcome your contacting them. They are very busy, especially during the session, so it is wise to follow a few simple guidelines.
Try the members who represent you first. If you do not know which district you live in, go to Find Your Legislator.
State your opinion or issue directly and politely. Have all your facts in hand.
If you wish to visit a member, make an appointment by calling the Olympia office number.
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
The best thing to do is to contact a member yourself using the e-mail, Hotline, phone, and mail options described above. The Support account does not forward messages to members.
How do I contact legislative staff?
You may contact legislative staff by phone.
Use the following numbers:
House of Representatives: (360)786-7750
House Office of Program Research (House Committee Services): (360)786-7200
Senate: (360) 786-7550
Senate Committee Services: (360) 786-7400
The Support account does not forward e-mail to legislative staff.
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
For U.S. Representatives, go to the directory of web sites of members by state of the U.S. House.For U.S. Senators, go to the directory of web sites of members by state for the U.S. Senate.
How do I contact the Governor?
Go to the Governor's Contact page. That page provides a link to the Governor's e-mail form, the mailing address, and the phone number.
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Most state agencies provide information on the Internet. Go to Access Washington for the state government's portal. That page provides a search feature ("Ask George") and indexes arranged by agency and subject.
If you know the person you wish to reach, use Access Washington's State Employee Directory.
Will you e-mail information to me?
The Legislative Information Center will be happy to e-mail information to you. Contact them at support@leg.wa.gov or at the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Want to review a member's voting record?
The voting records of House members become available following the session. Connect to the individual member's home page and click the Voting Record link.
LEGInfo does not provide access to the voting records of Senate members. Contact the Secretary of the Senate at 360.786.7550 for a Senator's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
The Secretary of State provides the best set of information on initiatives and referenda. The web page provides the text of the initiatives, names of the sponsors, and the ballot titles, and an overview of the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find law on a particular topic?
Use the LEGInfo Search feature. You can search for information on
Attorney General Opinions, Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the current session and Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the previous biennium.
Legislative Ethics Board Opinions
Executive Orders
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Washington State Registers
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
How do I print a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
To find a chapter of the RCW or WAC
Click Laws and Agency Rules.
Click the link to "Revised Code of Washington by Title" or "Washington Administrative Code".
Click the link for the desired title.
Click the link for the desired chapter.
Click the link at the top of the subsequent page that says "Complete Chapter."
LEGInfo does not support viewing or printing an entire title.
I would like to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January until the fourth Sunday in April (105 days). In the even-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January and goes for 60 days.
Parking on the Capitol Campus is scarce, and locations may change because of the construction related to the renovation of the John A. Cherberg Building.
The daily session start time varies, and, in fact, sometimes they come in just do some paperwork. If you want to see them debate bills, keep an eye on the Session Cutoff Calendar to find out when the cutoffs are, and come the week after committee cutoff. They usually start around 10:00 a.m. that week. You may also view or listen to committee on floor proceedings on the TVW web site.
You have options for checking the agendas for the floor sessions (also known as calendars):
Meeting Schedules
House Floor Activity Report
Senate Floor Activity Report
If you would like to sit in on a committee meeting, the Agendas, Schedules and Calendars page lets you know which committees are meeting on a particular date, and where. The first part of the Daily Schedule tells you when they are scheduled to come into general session and whether or not it is merely a pro forma session to handle some paperwork.
Can I get information from previous sessions?
LEGInfo provides access to bills and related documents back to 1997, from the Bill Information page. For information before 1997, contact the Legislative Information Center at 360.786.7573.
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) updated?
The RCW is updated once a year, usually late summer or early fall. It may also be updated following the General Election, if an initiative that changed the law was adopted by the people.
The WAC is updated every two weeks.
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Many thanks to the WA State Legislature for organizing this information for citizens!
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