SGA 9063
In CommitteeSenate
KAREN DONOHUE
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
This bill appoints Karen Donohue to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission for a term ending in August 2025. The commission helps develop sentencing rules for Washington courts.
- Appoints Karen Donohue as a member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission
- Sets her term to begin on June 26, 2023
- Sets her term to end on August 2, 2025
Who is affected
- Sentencing Guidelines Commission — The Sentencing Guidelines Commission is a state body that helps set sentencing rules for Washington courts; this appointment adds one member to the commission.
Who Is Most Affected
As the sole appointee named in the bill, Karen Donohue gains a two-year appointed position on a policy-advisory body that influences sentencing rules — a role with influence but no direct financial compensation or legal authority. The impact is procedural and symbolic, with no material effect on her economic standing beyond professional recognition.
The Sentencing Guidelines Commission itself gains one additional member, but the bill does not alter its structure, funding, or mandate — only fills a vacancy. No change in capacity, authority, or operational scope results from this appointment alone.
Washington residents indirectly affected by sentencing policy may see minor influence from this appointment over time, but since the commission’s rules require legislative approval and judicial adoption, and this is a single appointment among 12+ members, the individual impact is negligible.
Legal professionals (prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges) operate under sentencing rules developed by the commission, but this appointment alone does not alter the balance of representation or policy direction in a measurable way without knowing Donohue’s specific role or voting alignment.
State government operations are unaffected — no new costs, revenue, or staffing changes are triggered by this appointment, as the commission is already funded and staffed. This is a routine personnel action.