Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish)

Use these short explainer videos to help build a strong foundation in civics by exploring how government works at the local, state, and national levels. This series introduces core concepts like the branches of government, civic rights and responsibilities, and how public policy decisions are made and carried out. Students will gain a clearer understanding of how citizens engage with government and how systems of power and accountability function in Washington State and beyond.

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1. Introducing Mike Hoover: Your Soon to Be Favorite Parliamentarian

Meet Parliamentarian Mike Hoover and learn the basics of the legislative process with a simple, clear introduction to how laws work.

2. What is the Law?

Learn what laws are, how they work, and how bills become part of the Revised Code of Washington.

3. What is the Legislature?

Learn what the Washington State Legislature is, how it works, and how sessions and bienniums are structured.

4. The Three Branches

Learn how the three branches of government work together through checks and balances in Washington State.

5. The Legislative Process

Learn the steps of the legislative process in Washington State and how bills become law.

6. What is a Lobbyist?

Learn what a lobbyist is and how they influence the legislative process in Washington State.

7. Policy Committees

Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.

8. Fiscal Committees

Learn how fiscal committees review costs, funding, and budgets for bills in Washington State’s legislative process.

9. Rules Committee

Learn how the Rules Committee controls which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.

10. Public Comment

Learn how public input influences legislation in Washington State through testimony, letters, and civic engagement.

11. What is an Amendment?

Learn what amendments are and how changes like strikers and substitutes shape bills in Washington State.

12. The Floor: What is Decorum??

Learn what decorum means on the legislative floor and how rules guide respectful debate in Washington State.

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.

14. The Floor: What is Caucus?

Learn what a caucus is and how lawmakers negotiate and prepare bills behind the scenes in Washington State.

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.

16. The State Budget(s)

Learn about Washington State’s three budgets and how lawmakers plan and fund government priorities.

17. Concurrence & Dispute

Learn how concurrence and dispute resolve bill differences between chambers in Washington State.

18. Final Step: The Governor’s Desk

Learn what happens at the governor’s desk and how bills are signed, vetoed, or become law in Washington State.