A driving goal of the legislative affairs team is to bring to bear the expertise of our more than 34,000 WSBA members to the legislative process. 

In advocating Bar positions in the Legislature, the legislative affairs team is guided by the Board of Governors' (BOG) Legislation and Court Rule Comment Policy, which is designed to make sure that WSBA positions presented in Olympia represent a broad spectrum of WSBA members.

 

 

 

How We Operate

The Legislative Affairs team coordinates the activities of the WSBA Legislative Committee and the BOG Legislative Committee. 

Our involvement begins as the Legislative Session begins:

• First, we review every bill introduced for its impact on the practice of law. Bills involving major policy issues facing the WSBA are generally dealt with by the BOG.  Bills involving a specific practice area are referred directly to the sections for comment and recommendations as to whether the Board should take action. 
• Next, Bills then move through the Legislative Committee for further review and development of a recommended legislative agenda for the upcoming legislative session. 
• Finally, the full BOG reviews the recommendations before deciding on the final agenda.

The BOG Legislative Committee meets weekly during the legislative session to receive updates on WSBA-sponsored bills and to provide direction to the legislative liaison about other bills that affect the practice of law.

When the legislature is not in session, we maintain regular contact with legislators, the Supreme Court, and legislative committee staff regarding proposals which are being prepared for introduction in the next session.

For more detailed information, view the WSBA Legislative Process Roadmap.