SGA 9217
In CommitteeSenate
MICHAEL MACKILLOP
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 formally appoints Michael Mackillop as the Director of the Department of Services for the Blind in Washington State, effective January 15, 2025, with his service continuing until the governor decides otherwise.
- Appoints Michael Mackillop as Director of the Department of Services for the Blind
- Designates him as Agency Head
- Sets the term to end at the governor's pleasure (meaning the governor can remove him at any time)
Who is affected
- Michael Mackillop — The individual named, Michael Mackillop, is appointed to serve as the head of the agency.
Who Is Most Affected
Michael Mackillop gains formal authority and job security (subject to gubernatorial discretion) to lead a state agency focused on serving blind and visually impaired Washingtonians. This is a neutral personnel appointment with no direct financial, legal, or service-level impact on him beyond his existing role.
The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) gains a confirmed, sitting director after a period of leadership uncertainty. This may improve operational continuity and agency advocacy, but the bill itself does not alter DSB’s mandate, budget, or authority — only formalizes an existing appointment.
Blind and visually impaired Washingtonians may benefit indirectly from stable leadership, but this bill does not change services, eligibility, or funding. No direct positive or negative impact is created by the appointment alone.
The Governor retains full discretion to appoint and remove the DSB Director at will — a standard executive authority. This bill does not expand or constrain gubernatorial power beyond existing statutory practice.
State agencies and interagency coordination may benefit from having a confirmed director, but no new obligations or changes to interagency relationships are created by this bill.