How to Take Action

⚠️ The Problem: Legislative Abuse

Washington legislators introduced 1,572 bills in a single day (January 12, 2026).

That's 50% of the entire session's bills dumped at once.

This isn't incompetence—it's strategy. When legislators flood the system with thousands of bills simultaneously, they make meaningful public review impossible. By the time citizens understand what's in these bills, many have already passed through committees.

79.1% Bills on Flood Days

1559 Single Day Record

12 Flood Days (50+ bills)

Why They Do This

Hide Controversial Bills: Bad legislation gets buried in the pile. Media can't cover 1,500 bills.
Overwhelm Opposition: Advocacy groups can't monitor everything. Most bills slip through unnoticed.
Create Urgency: Tight deadlines force rushed votes. "We don't have time to debate" becomes the excuse.
Avoid Accountability: Legislators can claim ignorance. "I didn't know that provision was in there."

This Is Not Normal

A functioning democracy requires citizens to understand legislation before it becomes law. When 50% of bills are introduced in one day, that's impossible. This is a feature of the system, not a bug—and we need to fix it.

See the full analysis →

🗳️ Citizen Initiative: Bypass the Legislature

Washington State gives citizens the power to create laws directly, bypassing the legislature entirely. This is how we fight back against legislative abuse.

What Is a Citizen Initiative?

An initiative (I-___) is a proposed law that citizens draft and collect signatures for. If enough signatures are gathered, it either:

Goes directly to voters on the next general election ballot, OR
Goes to the legislature, which must either pass it, reject it (sending it to voters), or propose an alternative (both go to voters)

1

Draft Your Initiative

Write the proposed law in proper legal format. The Secretary of State's office provides templates and guidance.

Tip: Work with a lawyer familiar with initiative law. Poorly drafted initiatives can be challenged in court.

2

File with Secretary of State

Submit your initiative with a $5 filing fee. The Attorney General will write an official ballot title and summary.

File an Initiative →

3

Gather Signatures

Signatures Required: 8% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election

Current Requirement (2024 election): Approximately 324,000 valid signatures

Deadline: Must submit signatures by July 1st for initiatives to appear on November ballot

4

Submit & Verify

Submit signatures to the Secretary of State. They'll verify a random sample. If valid, your initiative qualifies!

5

Campaign for Passage

If it goes to voters, campaign for a YES vote. If the legislature rejects it, it automatically goes to voters.

💡 Proposed: Bill Flooding Prevention Initiative

We need a citizen initiative to stop legislative abuse. Here's what it could include:

Bill Introduction Limits
Cap each legislator at 25 bills per session. Forces prioritization of actually important legislation.
Mandatory Public Review Period
Bills must be publicly available for 14 days before committee hearings. No last-minute introductions.
Plain Language Requirement
Every bill must include a plain-English summary understandable by average citizens.
Amendment Transparency
No amendments that substantially change a bill's purpose. "Gut and amend" tricks would be prohibited.
Emergency Clause Restrictions
"Emergency" clauses (which skip public review) limited to actual emergencies—natural disasters, public health crises.

Want to Make This Happen?

Organizing a statewide initiative takes resources, but it's been done before. Key steps:

Form an organizing committee
Draft the initiative with legal help
Build a coalition of supporters
Launch signature collection campaign
Run a voter education campaign

Organizations that might help:

Referendum: Challenge Bad Laws

If the legislature passes a bad law, you can challenge it with a referendum:

Signatures Required: 4% of votes (≈162,000)
Deadline: 90 days after session ends
Effect: Suspends the law until voters decide

Learn about referendums →

Submit Written Comments on Bills

The easiest way to make your voice heard is by submitting written comments on bills. Here's how:

1

Find the Bill

Browse our bills page or use the official WA Legislature Bill Search.

2

Access the Comment Portal

Click the "Comment on This Bill" button on any bill page, or go directly to:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/[BILL NUMBER]

Example: For HB 1234, visit app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1234

3

Write Your Comment

Character limit: 5,000 characters maximum
Be clear: State your position (support, oppose, or concerns)
Be specific: Reference specific sections if relevant
Be personal: Share how the bill would affect you or your community

4

Submit Before the Deadline

Comments are typically accepted for 24 hours before a scheduled hearing. Check the bill's hearing schedule.

What Happens to Your Comment?

Your comment becomes part of the public record. Committee members receive a summary of public comments before hearings. While they may not read every word, the volume and nature of comments do influence deliberations.

Testify at Committee Hearings

For a more direct impact, you can testify at committee hearings either in person or remotely.

1

Find the Hearing

Check the Legislative Calendar for upcoming committee hearings.

2

Sign Up to Testify

Registration usually opens shortly before the hearing. Visit the committee's page on the legislature website to sign up.

3

Prepare Your Testimony

Time limit: Usually 1-2 minutes (committees vary)
Introduce yourself: Name, city, and any relevant affiliation
State your position: Clearly say if you support or oppose
Make one or two key points: Don't try to cover everything
Practice: Time yourself to stay within limits

4

Testify Remotely via TVW

Most hearings allow remote testimony via Zoom. You'll receive connection details after signing up.

Watch hearings live or recorded at TVW.org.

Remote Testimony Tips

Test your audio and video beforehand
Find a quiet location with good lighting
Join early and be patient—there may be many testifiers
Keep your video on during testimony if possible
Mute yourself when not speaking

Contact Your Legislators

Direct communication with your representatives is powerful. They work for you!

Find Your Legislators

Use the District Finder Tool to look up your state senator and two state representatives by address.

Ways to Reach Out

Phone

Call the Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000

TTY: 1-800-635-9993

Staff will take a message for your legislator. Keep it brief: your name, district, the bill number, and your position.

Email

Find email addresses on your legislator's page (via District Finder). Tips:

Use a clear subject line: "Please [Support/Oppose] [Bill Number]"
Keep it to one page
Mention you're a constituent
Include your full name and address

In-Person

During session, legislators are in Olympia. You can schedule meetings or attend town halls in your district during breaks.

Tips for Effective Advocacy

Be Respectful

Even if you strongly disagree, maintain a civil tone. Legislators are more receptive to respectful communication.

Be Personal

Share how the issue affects you, your family, or your community. Personal stories are memorable.

Be Specific

Reference the specific bill number. If possible, mention specific sections or provisions.

Be Timely

Contact legislators before key votes or hearings. Check the calendar and act early.

Be Concise

Legislators are busy. Make your point clearly and efficiently. One strong point beats five weak ones.

Follow Up

Thank legislators for their time. If they vote your way, express appreciation. It builds relationships.

Legislative Timeline

Understanding when things happen helps you time your advocacy effectively.

January

Session Begins

Legislature convenes. Bills are introduced and assigned to committees.

January - February

Committee Hearings

Bills are heard in policy committees. This is the best time to testify and comment.

February - March

House of Origin Cutoff

Bills must pass out of their original chamber. Fiscal committees meet.

March - April

Opposite Chamber

Bills that passed move to the other chamber for hearings and votes.

April

Session Ends

Final negotiations and votes. Governor signs or vetoes bills.

Note: This is a simplified overview. Long sessions (odd years) run ~105 days; short sessions (even years) run ~60 days. Check the official calendar for exact dates.