HR 4600
In CommitteeHouse
Temporary rules
Adopting the temporary rules of the House of Representatives.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
House Resolution 4600 establishes temporary rules for the Washington House of Representatives during the 2025–26 legislative session, including provisions for remote participation, committee structure, bill procedures, and member conduct. It serves as a placeholder until permanent rules are adopted by the end of January 2025.
- Adopts temporary House rules for the 2025–26 legislative session, effective no later than January 31, 2025, pending adoption of permanent rules.
- Authorizes the majority and minority leaders (or their designees) to allow members to participate and vote remotely in House proceedings—including floor sessions and committee meetings—if a member has a medical condition preventing in-person attendance.
- Updates committee membership numbers (e.g., Appropriations: 31 members, Capital Budget: 19, Rules: 24) and clarifies that committee chairs are selected by the majority party caucus.
- Requires that all final passage votes on bills be taken by yeas and nays, with names recorded in the journal, and establishes strict timelines for reconsideration of final passage votes—especially near session end.
- Permits remote voting and participation under specified conditions, including verification of identity by rostrum staff and allowing members to submit written statements if unable to vote using remote systems.
Who is affected
- Members of the Washington House of Representatives — Members of the Washington House of Representatives are directly affected, as the rules govern how they conduct business—including how bills are introduced, debated, amended, and voted on—and define their rights and responsibilities during legislative sessions.
- Speaker of the House — The Speaker of the House gains or retains specific authority over chamber operations, including managing debate, appointing committee chairs, and authorizing remote participation.
- Committee chairs and members — Committee chairs and members are affected by rules governing committee operations—including quorum requirements, voting procedures, public access, and how bills are considered and reported out of committee.
- Legislative staff — Legislative staff—including the Chief Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, and other employees—are affected by rules assigning administrative duties, managing access to the chamber, and overseeing conduct during sessions.
- The public and media — The public and media are affected by rules governing public access to chamber proceedings, transparency of committee meetings, and rules about lobbying and conduct in legislative areas.
Who Is Most Affected
Members gain flexibility to participate remotely if medically unable, but also face stricter voting and debate rules (e.g., 3-minute time limits near session end, mandatory yeas-and-nays for final passage).
The Speaker retains broad authority over chamber operations, including appointing committee chairs and authorizing remote participation. No significant new constraints or enhancements to power are introduced beyond procedural clarity.
Committee chairs gain authority over remote participation and vote verification, but also face stricter quorum and voting transparency requirements (e.g., recorded votes on all committee recommendations).
Staff (e.g., Chief Clerk, rostrum staff) gain new responsibilities related to remote voting verification and technology support, but no reduction in duties or authority is indicated.
The public and media benefit from increased transparency: all final passage votes must be by yeas and nays with names recorded; committee deliberations are required to be open to the public; and remote participants must use verified systems. However, remote participation could reduce informal public access to chamber proceedings (e.g., less physical presence by members may reduce opportunities for spontaneous public engagement).