17. Concurrence & Dispute
Learn how concurrence and dispute resolve bill differences between chambers in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
6. What is a Lobbyist?
Learn what a lobbyist is and how they influence the legislative process in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Housing (2026)
Explore housing policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Legislative Committees
Understand the role of legislative committees, how they are structured, and how power and perspective can shape policy.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
9. Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee controls which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate 2025)
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Mainstream Republicans Conference
See how WAs Mainstream Republican Conference acts as a think tank and forum for focusing on political party interests and endorsements.
Lesson Plan
How a Bill Becomes a Law
This Legacy Video explains: How does a bill become a law in Washington? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress?
Discussion Questions
10. Public Comment
Learn how public input influences legislation in Washington State through testimony, letters, and civic engagement.
Discussion Questions
Documentary
Finding Common Ground
Examine different ways that tribal nations, the Washington State government, and other stakeholders have come together to navigate conflict.
Lesson Plan
Washington’s Legislative Branch
This legacy video explains: How does Washington State’s legislative branch function? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress.
Discussion Questions
Legislative Committees
How do legislative committees shape lawmaking in Washington State? Learn how bills move, change, or die in committee.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
4. The Three Branches
Learn how the three branches of government work together through checks and balances in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2025)
Explore agriculture and natural resource policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Early Learning & Human Services (2025)
Explore youth care policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
WA Top Two Primary
Learn how Washington State's Top Two Primary works, the different scenarios that can play out, and how political parties strategize to win.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
16. The State Budget(s)
Learn about Washington State’s three budgets and how lawmakers plan and fund government priorities.
Discussion Questions
SERIES
Elections Explained
Learn how elections work in Washington State - Each video can stand alone, and is accompanied with a lesson plan, or view as a series.
Multiple Videos
Unit
Early Learning & Human Services (2026)
Explore human services policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
SERIES
Documentaries
Documentaries to help students understand how their state government works by taking a deeper look into issues affecting the state.
Multiple Videos
What Happens After You’re Arrested? – Questions To The Court
Learn what happens after an arrest in Washington State, from arraignment through sentencing.
Discussion Questions
The Governor’s Desk
Learn the governor’s role in Washington State lawmaking, including signing, vetoing, or allowing bills to become law.
Discussion Questions
SERIES
On The Issues – Q&A
Legislative Pages research current issues legislative committees are working on and bring those questions to committee leadership.
Multiple Videos
Unit
K12 Education (2025)
Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Lobbyists in Washington State
Learn how lobbyists function in Washington State, including the role they play in the legislative process and how they are regulated.
Discussion Questions
2024 Elections: What’s at Stake
Review the 2024 state of Washington races post the August Primary Election, and pre the November Election, to understand election dynamics.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Unit
2026 Tech For Teens – Legislative Branch Explained
Follow real WA bills on AI and social media to see how ideas become law—from hearings to debate, votes, and the governor’s desk.
Multiple Videos
Voter’s Pamphlet and Video Guide
Learn about informational resources provided to voters prior to elections, and how that information is gathered and validated.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
11. What is an Amendment?
Learn what amendments are and how changes like strikers and substitutes shape bills in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Environment & Energy (House 2025)
Learn about committee leadership and where the two parties stand on three important policies regarding the environment and energy.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Labor Council COPE Convention
Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Understand the role that the unions can play in an election.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Time Management – Tech For Teens
Learn how time management, floor strategy, and party priorities shape which Washington State bills get a final vote.
Discussion Questions
Five O’Clock Bill
Learn what a “5 o’clock bill” is and how deadlines, debate, and strategy shape Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
Documentary
A Question of Faith: Washington’s Electoral College
Explore Washington’s Electoral College and how electors choose the president in this Emmy-winning documentary.
Discussion Questions
13. The Floor: 1st 2nd & 3rd Readings Explained
Learn what 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings mean and how bills are reviewed on the legislative floor.
Discussion Questions
The Committee Chair
Learn how committee chairs in Washington State decide which bills move forward and shape the legislative process.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Washington Capitol Press Corps
Discover how Washington’s Capital Press Corps informs the public, covers state government, and strengthens democracy.
Discussion Questions
Meeting leg.wa.gov
Take a tour of leg.wa.gov and learn how to find bills, calendars, and ways to engage with Washington State’s legislature.
Secretary of State
Learn the role of Washington State’s Secretary of State and how the office oversees elections and public records.
Lesson Plan
Unit
Law & Justice (2026)
Explore law and justice policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Importance of Debates
Learn about State debates, their purpose, what the electorate can learn from a debate, and how the media prepares to moderate a debate.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
5. The Legislative Process
Learn the steps of the legislative process in Washington State and how bills become law.
Discussion Questions
Floor Debate
Learn how floor debates work in Washington State and the rules that guide discussion, amendments, and voting on legislation.
Discussion Questions
Documentary
The Medicine Creek Treaty, 1854-Present
Explore the Medicine Creek Treaty and its lasting impact on Native communities in Washington State.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
7. Policy Committees
Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.
Discussion Questions
Looking up a Bill
Learn how to find Washington State bills by number, topic, sponsor, or pre-filed status using the legislative website.
Inaugural Addresses
Washington’s 2025 legislative opening ceremonies, including swearing-in, Gov. Inslee’s final address, and Gov. Ferguson’s inaugural.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Learn the role of Washington State’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and how OSPI supports public schools.
Lesson Plan
What Happens If A Law Is Declared Unconstitutional? – Questions To The Court
Learn what happens when a law is declared unconstitutional and the roles of courts and lawmakers in Washington State.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
SERIES
Leg.wa.gov Navigator
These handy explainer videos will help you navigate Washington state's legislative website - leg.wa.gov
Multiple Videos
Unit
Transportation (2025)
Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
District & Municipal Courts – WA Courts
Learn how district and municipal courts handle lower-level cases in Washington State’s court system.
Discussion Questions
State Auditor
Explore the role of Washington’s State Auditor and learn how audits provide oversight and accountability in state government.
Lesson Plan
SERIES
Executive Branch Explained
Learn how WA’s elected officials manage education, finances, land, insurance, and oversight—shaping daily life and public accountability.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
K12 Education (2026)
Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
SERIES
Legacy Videos
Some legacy educational modules explaining the different aspects of the Legislative Branch and Washington State Government.
Multiple Videos
What Does The Judicial Branch Do? – Questions To The Court
Explore what the judicial branch does and how judges interpret laws in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Housing (Senate 2025)
Explore housing policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
8. Fiscal Committees
Learn how fiscal committees review costs, funding, and budgets for bills in Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
The State Budget(s)
Learn about Washington State’s three budgets—Operating, Capital, and Transportation—and how they reflect government priorities.
Discussion Questions
Redistricting in Washington State
Examine legislative redistricting in Washington State and how the bipartisan redistricting committee works and the power of court challege.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
What is a Precinct Committee Officer?
Learn how Precinct Committee Officers play a part in party business at every level of our democracy.
Discussion Questions
The Initiative Process
Learn from UW Law scholar, Hugh Spitzer, how WAs initiative process works, and the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Anatomy of a Committee
Learn how legislative committees work in Washington State and why they are key to researching, debating, and shaping laws.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Finding My Legislator and District
Learn how to find your Washington State legislative district and connect with your elected representatives.
Juvenile Courts – WA Courts
Explore juvenile courts in Washington State and how they focus on rehabilitation for youth offenders.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
The Washington State Constitution
Learn how Washington’s Constitution shapes state government and what makes it unique among U.S. state constitutions.
Discussion Questions
How to Watch a Televised Debate
Improve your debate analysis skills by learning note-taking techniques that help track and evaluate arguments.
Discussion Questions
The Role of the Whip
What does a legislative whip do? Learn how caucus whips count votes, manage members, and guide bills in Olympia.
Discussion Questions
Attorney General Request Legislation – Tech For Teens
Learn how Attorney General request legislation works and how laws are enforced to protect consumers in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
What Is The Most Powerful Branch? – Questions To The Court
Explore which branch of government is most powerful and how checks and balances work in Washington State.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
The Difference Between Civil vs. Criminal? – Questions To The Court
Explore the difference between criminal and civil cases and how Washington State courts handle each.
Discussion Questions
Floor Debate – Tech For Teens
See how tech bills for teens fared in Washington State floor debates and why some passed while others failed.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
SERIES
Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish)
Civics 101 explains how government works, citizen rights, and public policy at local, state, and national levels.
Multiple Videos
The Budgetary Process
Learn how Washington State creates its budget and how lawmakers and the governor work together to fund public services.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Pre-Legislative Session Class Primer
Prepare your students to follow and engage in the legislative process with this two day pre-legislative session primer.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Party Conventions Unit
In this jigsawed activity, students compare and contrast the conventions, determining who is involved in each event and investigating...
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
SERIES
Legislative Branch Explained
Explore how laws are made in Washington State—from bill introduction to final vote—while learning how citizens can engage.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Conference Committees
Learn how conference committees help resolve differences between House and Senate bills in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Fiscal Committees
Learn how fiscal committees in Washington State review bills with financial impact and why they are critical in the lawmaking process.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Higher Education & Workforce Development (2025)
Explore higher education and workforce policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Education (2025)
This 20 min lesson explores where the Majority and Minority Parties stand on two policies regarding Early Learning and K12 Education.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Civil Rights & Judiciary (2025)
Explore civil rights policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
The Final Step – Tech For Teens
Learn the final step in Washington State lawmaking as bills reach the governor’s desk for approval, veto, or enactment.
Discussion Questions
Unit
The Rule of Law and State Courts
This 4 day lesson plan examines the role of state courts in preserving democracy and what types of cases each court level hears.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
The Governor
Learn the role of Washington State’s Governor and how the office leads, implements laws, and works across government.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Documentary
Mariachi Huenachi
Follow immigrant students overcoming challenges through music in Wenatchee’s Mariachi Huenachi program.
Discussion Questions
First Week – Tech For Teens
Follow AI regulation bills in Washington State and see how tech policy for teens moves through the legislative process.
Discussion Questions
The Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee decides which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
15. The Floor: Big Changes Happen
Learn how major changes can happen to bills on the floor and how amendments can shape outcomes in Washington State.
Discussion Questions
Unit
Health Care (2026)
Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
State Treasurer
Learn the role of Washington State’s Treasurer and how the office manages finances and ensures fiscal responsibility.
Lesson Plan
Reading the Bill and the Bill Report
Learn how to read bills and bill reports in Washington State, including revisions, summaries, and key legislative details.
Amendments Happen – Tech For Teens
Learn how amendments shape bills in Washington State and how changes are made before a full chamber vote.
Discussion Questions
Re-Wire 2026 Legislative Session Preview
Preview the 2026 legislative session with insights from the ReWire conference on budget, policy, and key issues.
Discussion Questions
How to Become a Precinct Committee Officer
How to become a Precinct Committee Officer - There are many vacancies and you are needed!
Discussion Questions
WA Democratic State Convention
See how the Washington State Democratic Party convention gathers its base to caucus, collaborate and adopt the parties platform.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Signing up to Testify
Learn how to sign up to testify on a bill and share your voice in Washington State’s legislative process.
WA Republican State Convention
Explore and influence of party conventions, how they are structured, and the role of delegates in shaping the electoral process.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Unit
Environment & Energy (2026)
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
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