Washington State Legislative Sessions
The legislative cycle is two years long. Within that two-year cycle, there are two
kinds of legislative sessions: Regular sessions and extraordinary, or special,
sessions. Regular sessions are mandated by the State Constitution and begin the
second Monday in January each year. In the odd-numbered year, for example, 2005,
the Regular session is 105 days; in the even-numbered year, for example, 2006,
it is 60 days. Extraordinary sessions are called by the Governor to address specific
issues, usually the budget. There can be any number of extraordinary sessions within
the two-year cycle, and they can last no more than 30 days.
* Represents a special Reconvened date called by the Governor
** Annual Sessions were established pursuant to SHB 1126; 105 days in oddnumber years; 60 in even number years.
- The listing of Governor appointments start in 1979.
- Initiatives noted are to the Legislature.
- Partially vetoed, or amendend bills are added together with vetoed bills prior to1980.