State Treasurer
Learn the role of Washington State’s Treasurer and how the office manages finances and ensures fiscal responsibility.
Lesson Plan
Unit
Environment & Energy
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Candidate Filing Week
Learn how candidates get on the ballot and how WA's SOS office ensures the process is equitable and fair for both candidate and voter.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Policy Cutoff
Learn how policy cutoff deadlines shape which bills move forward in Washington State’s legislative process.
Discussion Questions
What is a Companion Bill?
Learn what companion bills are and how they move through the Washington State legislative process.
How does a group email the whole committee?
Learn how groups can effectively email legislative committees during the Washington State lawmaking process.
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.
SERIES
Legacy Videos
Some legacy educational modules explaining the different aspects of the Legislative Branch and Washington State Government.
Multiple Videos
Gun Rights & Effective Background Checks (2026)
Explore firearm background checks in Washington State and how lawmakers balance public safety with gun rights.
Discussion Questions
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
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
Unit
State Government & Tribal Relations
Explore tribal relations and state government policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Unit
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Explore civil rights policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
Lesson Plan
Multiple Videos
Federal Recognition (2025)
Explore federal recognition of tribes and how Washington State works with federally and non-federally recognized tribes.
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
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
The Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee decides which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
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
Emergency Response Systems (2025)
Explore school safety and emergency response systems in Washington State and how lawmakers address student protection.
Discussion Questions
Insurance Age Gap (2025)
Explore healthcare funding in Washington State and how federal and state roles impact coverage and affordability.
Discussion Questions
The power of amendments.
Learn how lawmakers use amendments strategically to shape, change, or influence legislation.
Prime Sponsorship
Learn how prime sponsors support bills in Washington State and why strong backing is key to passing legislation.
Discussion Questions
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
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
SB/HB/SSB/2SSB/2SHB/E2SSB/E2SHB Explained.
Learn what bill labels like SB, HB, SSB, and E2SHB mean in the Washington State legislative process.
How to Watch a Televised Debate
Improve your debate analysis skills by learning note-taking techniques that help track and evaluate arguments.
Lesson Plan
Discussion Questions
Recycling Energy Costs (2025)
House Page, Theron Clements, asks House Environment & Energy Committee leadership how recycling policy can address the high cost of recyc...
Discussion Questions
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
Balancing Student Support & Funding (2026)
Explore how Washington State balances student support services with school funding priorities.
Discussion Questions
Juvenile Courts – WA Courts
Explore juvenile courts in Washington State and how they focus on rehabilitation for youth offenders.
Lesson Plan
Addressing Juvenile Sentencing Disparities (2026)
Explore juvenile sentencing disparities in Washington State and how lawmakers address fairness in the justice system.
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
Addressing Aging Infrastructure (2025)
Explore how Washington State addresses aging infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and long-term transportation needs.
Discussion Questions
My bill is sponsored, now what?
Learn what happens after a bill is sponsored and how to work with lawmakers during the legislative process.
The Code Reviser
Explore the Code Reviser’s role in Washington State and how bills are drafted, reviewed, and prepared for the legislative process.
Discussion Questions
District & Municipal Courts – WA Courts
Learn how district and municipal courts handle lower-level cases in Washington State’s court system.
Discussion Questions