WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5434

SB 5434: Gubernatorial emergencies

Establishing balanced legislative oversight of gubernatorial powers during a declared emergency.

Summary

  • Authorizes the Legislature, if in session, to terminate a state of emergency through passage of a concurrent resolution.
  • Authorizes the termination of a state of emergency by the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives if the Legislature is not in session and it has been more than 90 days since the Governor declared the state of emergency.
  • Provides that the Legislature may terminate executive orders issued under a state of emergency if the order has been in effect for more than 30 days, either by concurrent resolution if the legislature is in session, or, if not in session, in writing by all four leaders of the leadership of the House and Senate.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5434), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 22, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 21, 2025
  3. Passed Senatestopped here
  4. Passed House
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Keith Wagoner (R-39)
Introduced
January 22, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
January 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5434, SSB 5434

AN ACT Relating to establishing balanced legislative oversight of gubernatorial powers during a declared emergency;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Keith Wagoner (R-39)

16 co-sponsors (4 Democrats, 12 Republicans)

Jeff Wilson R-19Mike Chapman D-24Lisa Wellman D-41Leonard Christian R-4Shelly Short R-7Matt Boehnke R-8Perry Dozier R-16Ron Muzzall R-10Manka Dhingra D-45John Braun R-20Judy Warnick R-13Curtis King R-14Keith Goehner R-12Chris Gildon R-25Mark Schoesler R-9Sharon Shewmake D-42

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. (SSB 5434)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SSB 5434)
  3. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  4. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  5. Senate Rules "X" file. (SSB 5434)
  6. Senate Rules "X" file.
  7. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5434)
  8. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5434)
  9. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5434)
  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  11. Minority; do not pass.
  12. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  13. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

SB 5434 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

Report wrong or missing information on this page