Summary#
House Resolution No. 2026-4712, “Providing for House business during interim,” sets rules for the Washington House of Representatives between sessions. It is a House resolution, not a statute that creates or amends state law. Its stated goal is to let the House continue its work during the interim.
- The Executive Rules Committee may assign subjects and legislative items to authorized House committees for study. The Speaker may create special or select committees, with the Executive Rules Committee’s approval of their members.
- The Executive Rules Committee must approve interim meeting schedules, agendas, locations, and formats. Committees and task forces may hold work sessions and public hearings without a quorum (the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business).
- A House member taking part remotely counts as present for quorum and voting. An authorized committee may use subpoenas, administer oaths, and issue commissions to examine witnesses only if the Executive Rules Committee specifically authorizes those powers for specific purposes and subjects.
- The Chief Clerk must finish the 2026 regular session’s work. With the Speaker’s authorization, the Clerk may hire or retain necessary employees and order supplies, equipment, and printing.
- The resolution also sets out authority for House expense payments, some contracts, use of House rooms and furnishings, and sending flowers or correspondence on behalf of the House.
What it means for you#
- House members and employees: Members may receive reimbursement for authorized interim expenses. Members and employees may be reimbursed for attending authorized conferences and meetings. Rates are tied to law and set by the Executive Rules Committee.
- People involved in committee work: Committees may hold work sessions and public hearings without a quorum. A committee’s subpoena and witness-examination powers require specific authorization from the Executive Rules Committee.
- The public: The resolution allows public hearings, but does not set out notice, public access, or public-participation rules.
- House staff and contractors: The Chief Clerk may hire or retain staff when the Speaker authorizes it, and may arrange workplace-investigation contracts. The resolution does not create a new public service or change taxes, public benefits, or private property rights.
Money#
No cost estimate is provided. The resolution permits House spending from appropriations made for legislative expenses.
- It authorizes certain reimbursements, staffing, supplies, equipment, printing, and contracts, but gives no total amount or spending cap.
- The Chief Clerk must execute vouchers for House expenses. The resolution does not state the likely cost of those expenses.
What is unclear#
- The resolution does not explain how much additional staff, equipment, supplies, or contract work will be needed. No publicly available information.
- It does not specify how public hearings will be announced or how the public may take part.
- It does not describe reporting or oversight for the interim expenses and contracts it authorizes.
- The supplied material does not show how these provisions compare with existing House rules or practice.
Case for#
- The resolution appears intended to keep House work moving between sessions, including completing the prior session’s records and preparing or studying legislative items.
- Allowing remote members to count for quorum and voting may let committees conduct business when members participate remotely.
- Specific Executive Rules Committee approval is required before a committee can use subpoena and witness-examination powers.
Case against#
- The Executive Rules Committee controls meeting schedules, agendas, locations, and formats, while the resolution does not set out public notice or participation standards.
- Work sessions and public hearings may happen without a quorum, so fewer members may be present than are required for official business.
- The resolution authorizes spending and staffing without stating a budget limit or estimate.