How Pre-Filed Bills Work in Washington State

12/16/2025

How Pre-Filed Bills Work in Washington State

Every January, Washington State lawmakers start preparing for the upcoming legislative session. One of their initial actions is submitting bills early, called pre-filed bills. These are filed before the session officially begins, allowing lawmakers to get an early start on their planned work for the year.

Pre-filing a bill means a legislator officially introduces an idea for a new law or a change to an existing one. These bills are written and assigned a number for tracking. Once filed, they are published and made available for the public to read. This allows people to see what issues lawmakers plan to address and begin learning about them.

After a bill is prefiled, it is assigned to a committee when the session begins. Committees are small groups of lawmakers who focus on specific topics like education, health, or business. The committee will decide whether the bill should advance, be amended, or be halted. If the committee approves it, the bill moves to the full chamber, such as the House or Senate, for a vote. If it passes there, it goes to the other chamber. If both the House and Senate approve it, the bill moves to the governor, who can sign it into law or veto it.

Anyone can view pre-filed bills on the Washington State Legislature’s official website at leg.wa.gov. Just visit the site and go to the “Bill Information” section to search for bills by number, topic, or sponsor. This allows the public to stay informed about their lawmakers’ actions and provides an opportunity to support or oppose particular bills.

Pre-filing bills is an important step in Washington's legislative process. It allows lawmakers to prepare ahead and provides the public with an early preview of upcoming legislation.