Washington lawmakers

By: Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network After hours of public speeches, the Washington Legislature decided Monday to once again make changes to the…

By: Jeanie Lindsay / NW News Network A majority of lawmakers in the Washington Legislature decided Monday to approve three voter initiatives, after weeks…

Washington lawmakers are getting back into the swing of working on legislation in committees following a key cutoff deadline. Wednesday marked the final day for legislators to pass bills from the chamber they originated in, meaning most bills that didn't receive a vote on the floor will no longer be considered this session.

In a 7-to-2 decision, the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that individual state lawmakers are subject to the state’s Public Records Act (PRA) and therefore must disclose records such as emails and calendars. In doing so, the high court upheld a lower court ruling and delivered a significant victory to media outlets that sued over access to lawmaker records.

The Washington state House passed a ban on bump stocks Friday, Feb. 23. It's a gun modification that allows certain weapons to fire more rapidly. Legislators debated the ban under the shadow of last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida

In recent weeks, eight women interviewed by Northwest News Network, The News Tribune and The Olympian have said Washington state Rep. David Sawyer of Tacoma has crossed personal and professional boundaries, sometimes repeatedly, and accused him of engaging in behavior before and after he joined the Legislature that ranged from inappropriate to harassing.

In the space of 20 minutes Friday, Feb. 23, Washington lawmakers voted to exempt themselves from the state’s voter-approved Public Records Act. The Senate first passed the bill and then sent it to the House where it was immediately taken up.

With traffic congestion getting ever worse in the Seattle metro area, two classes of solo drivers are asking for permission to use the carpool lanes. But it's a hard sell in Olympia.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is calling on state lawmakers to “step up” and pass a carbon tax this year. He made the comments Tuesday as the midpoint of the legislative session approaches.

Young smokers in Washington may have trouble getting a pack of cigarettes in the near future. Lawmakers are considering raising the minimum age to buy tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.