FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 12 — Article XXVII / Section 12
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 12
Status: in_force

ELECTION CONTESTS FOR SUPERIOR JUDGES, HOW DECIDED. In case of a contest of election between candidates, at the first general election under this Constitution, for judges of the superior courts, the evidence shall be taken in the manner prescribed by the Territorial laws, and the testimony so taken shall be certified to the secretary of state; and said officer, together with the governor and treasurer of state, shall review the evidence and determine who is entitled to the certificate of election.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 16 — Article I / Section 16
WA Const., Article I, Section 16
Status: in_force

- Eminent Domain Private property shall not be taken for private use , except for private ways of necessity, and for drains, flumes or ditches on or across the lands of others for agricultural, domestic or sanitary purposes. No private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation having first been made, or paid into court for the owner, and no right of way shall be appropriated to the use of any corporation other than municipal, until full compensation therefor be first made in money, or ascertained and paid into the court for the owner, irrespective of any benefit from any improvement proposed by such corporation, which compensation shall be ascertained by a jury, unless a jury be waived as in other civil cases in courts of record, in the manner prescribed by law. Whenever an attempt is made to take private property for a use alleged to be public, the question whether the contemplated use be really public shall be a judicial question , and determined as such without regard to any legislative assertion that the use is public.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 38 — Article II / Section 38
WA Const., Article II, Section 38
Status: in_force

- Limitation on Amendments No amendment to any bill shall be allowed which shall change the scope and object of the bill.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 30 — Article II / Section 30
WA Const., Article II, Section 30
Status: in_force

- Bribery or Corrupt Solicitation The offense of corrupt solicitation of members of the legislature, or of public officers of the state or any municipal division thereof, and any occupation or practice of solicitation of such members or officers to influence their official action, shall be defined by law, and shall be punished by fine and imprisonment. Any person may be compelled to testify in any lawful investigation or judicial proceeding against any person who may be charged with having committed the offense of bribery or corrupt solicitation, or practice of solicitation, and shall not be permitted to withhold his testimony on the ground that it may criminate himself or subject him to public infamy, but such testimony shall not afterwards be used against him in any judicial proceeding - except for perjury in giving such testimony - and any person convicted of either of the offenses aforesaid, shall as part of the punishment therefor, be disqualified from ever holding any position of honor, trust or profit in this state. A member who has a private interest in any bill or measure proposed or pending before the legislature, shall disclose the fact to the house of which he is a member, and shall not vote thereon.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 21 — Article I / Section 21
WA Const., Article I, Section 21
Status: in_force

- Trial by Jury The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, but the legislature may provide for a jury of any number less than twelve in courts not of record, and for a verdict by nine or more jurors in civil cases in any court of record, and for waiving of the jury in civil cases where the consent of the parties interested is given thereto.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 22 — Article I / Section 22
WA Const., Article I, Section 22
Status: in_force

- Rights of Accused Persons In criminal prosecution, the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person, and by counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a copy thereof, to testify in his own behalf, to meet the witnesses against him face to face, to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his own behalf, to have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed, and the right to appeal in all cases; and, in no instance, shall any accused person before final judgment be compelled to advance money or fees to secure the rights herein guaranteed.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 39 — Article II / Section 39
WA Const., Article II, Section 39
Status: in_force

- Free Transportation to Public Officer Prohibited It shall not be lawful for any person holding public office in this state to accept or use a pass or to purchase transportation from any railroad or other corporation, other than as the same may be purchased by the general public, and the legislature shall pass laws to enforce this provision.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 18 — Article II / Section 18
WA Const., Article II, Section 18
Status: in_force

- Style of Laws The style of the laws of the state shall be: " Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington ." And no laws shall be enacted except by bill.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 9 — Article I / Section 9
WA Const., Article I, Section 9
Status: in_force

- Rights of Accused Persons No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to give evidence against himself , or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 41 — Article I / Section 41
WA Const., Article I, Section 41
Status: in_force

- Laws, Effective Date, Initiative, Referendum -- Amendment or Repeal No act, law, or bill subject to referendum shall take effect until ninety days after the adjournment of the session at which it was enacted. No act, law or bill approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon shall be amended or repealed by the legislature within a period of two years following such enactment: Provided, That any such act, law or bill may be amended within two years after such enactment at any regular or special session of the legislature by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house with full compliance with section 12, Article III, of the Washington Constitution, and no amendatory law adopted in accordance with this provision shall be subject to referendum. But such enactment may be amended or repealed at any general regular or special election by direct vote of the people thereon. These provisions supersede the provisions of subsection (c) of section 1 of this article as amended by the seventh amendment to the Constitution of this state.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 3 — Article II / Section 3
WA Const., Article II, Section 3
Status: in_force

- The Census The legislature shall provide by law for an enumeration of the inhabitants of the state in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five and every ten years thereafter; and at the first session after such enumeration, and also after each enumeration made by the authority of the United States, the legislature shall apportion and district anew the members of the senate and house of representatives, according to the number of inhabitants, excluding Indians not taxed, soldiers, sailors and officers of the United States army and navy in active service .
Wa. Const. art. I, § 26 — Article I / Section 26
WA Const., Article I, Section 26
Status: in_force

- Grand Jury No grand jury shall be drawn or summoned in any county, except the superior judge thereof shall so order.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 39 — Article I / Section 39
WA Const., Article I, Section 39
Status: in_force

- Free Transportation to Public Officer Prohibited It shall not be lawful for any person holding public office in this state to accept or use a pass or to purchase transportation from any railroad or other corporation, other than as the same may be purchased by the general public, and the legislature shall pass laws to enforce this provision.
Wa. Const. art. III, § 11 — Article III / Section 11
WA Const., Article III, Section 11
Status: in_force

- Remission of Fines and Forfeitures The governor shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, and shall report to the legislature at its next meeting each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon granted, and the reasons for granting the same, and also the names of all persons in whose favor remission of fines and forfeitures shall have been made, and the several amounts remitted and the reasons for the remission.
Wa. Const. art. III, § 14 — Article III / Section 14
WA Const., Article III, Section 14
Status: in_force

- Salary The governor shall receive an annual salary of four thousand dollars, which may be increased by law, but shall never exceed six thousand dollars per annum.
Wa. Const. art. XXIV, § 1 — Article XXIV / Section 1
WA Const., Article XXIV, Section 1
Status: in_force

- State Boundaries The boundaries of the state of Washington shall be as follows: Beginning at a point in the Pacific ocean one marine league due west of and opposite the middle of the mouth of the north ship channel of the Columbia river thence running easterly to and up the middle channel of said river and where it is divided by islands up the middle of the widest channel thereof to where the forty-sixth parallel of north latitude crosses said river near the mouth of the Walla Walla river ; thence east on said forty-sixth parallel of latitude to the middle of the main channel of Shoshone or Snake river , thence follow down the middle of the main channel of Snake river to a point opposite the mouth of the Kooskooskia or Clear Water river , thence due north to the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, thence west along said forty-ninth parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates Vancouver's island from the continent, that is to say to a point in longitude 123 degrees, 19 minutes and 15 seconds west, thence following the boundary line between the United States and British possessions through the channel which separates Vancouver's island from the continent to the termination of the boundary line between the United States and British possessions at a point in the Pacific ocean equidistant between Bonnilla point on Vancouver's island and Tatoosh island light house , thence running in a southerly course and parallel with the coast line, keeping one marine league off shore to place of beginning; until such boundaries are modified by appropriate interstate compacts duly approved by the Congress of the United States.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 23 — Article II / Section 23
WA Const., Article II, Section 23
Status: in_force

- Compensation of Members Each member of the legislature shall receive for his services five dollars for each day's attendance during the session, and ten cents for every mile he shall travel in going to and returning from the place of meeting of the legislature, on the most usual route.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 26 — Article II / Section 26
WA Const., Article II, Section 26
Status: in_force

- Suits Against the State The legislature shall direct by law, in what manner, and in what courts, suits may be brought against the state .
Wa. Const. art. II, § 6 — Article II / Section 6
WA Const., Article II, Section 6
Status: in_force

- Election and Term of Office of Senators After the first election the senators shall be elected by single districts of convenient and contiguous territory , at the same time and in the same manner as members of the house of representatives are required to be elected; and no representative district shall be divided in the formation of a senatorial district. They shall be elected for the term of four years, one-half of their number retiring every two years. The senatorial districts shall be numbered consecutively, and the senators chosen at the first election had by virtue of this Constitution, in odd numbered districts, shall go out of office at the end of the first year; and the senators, elected in the even numbered districts, shall go out of office at the end of the third year.
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 2 — Article XXVII / Section 2
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 2
Status: in_force

- LAWS IN FORCE CONTINUED. All laws now in force in the Territory of Washington, which are not repugnant to this Constitution, shall remain in force until they expire by their own limitation, or are altered or repealed by the legislature: Provided, That this section shall not be so construed as to validate any act of the legislature of Washington Territory granting shore or tide lands to any person, company or any municipal or private corporation.
Wa. Const. art. XXIII, § 1 — Article XXIII / Section 1
WA Const., Article XXIII, Section 1
Status: in_force

- How Made Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature; and if the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on their journals, with the ayes and noes thereon, and be submitted to the qualified electors of the state for their approval , at the next general election; and if the people approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the same shall become part of this Constitution, and proclamation thereof shall be made by the governor: Provided, That if more than one amendment be submitted, they shall be submitted in such a manner that the people may vote for or against such amendments separately. The legislature shall also cause notice of the amendments that are to be submitted to the people to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state: Provided, That failure of any newspaper to publish this notice shall not be interpreted as affecting the outcome of the election. [AMENDMENT 37, 1961 Senate Joint Resolution No. 25, p 2753. Approved November, 1962.] Original text -- Art. 23 Section 1 HOW MADE -- Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature; and if the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on their journals, with the ayes and noes thereon, and be submitted to the qualified electors of the state for their approval, at the next general election; and if the people approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the same shall become part of this Constitution, and proclamation thereof shall be made by the governor: Provided, that if more than one amendment be submitted, they shall be submitted in such a manner that the people may vote for or against such amendments separately. The legislature shall also cause the amendments that are to be submitted to the people to be published for at least three months next preceding the election, in some weekly newspaper, in every county where a newspaper is published throughout the state.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 28 — Article II / Section 28
WA Const., Article II, Section 28
Status: in_force

- Special Legislation The legislature is prohibited from enacting any private or special laws in the following cases: For changing the names of persons, or constituting one person the heir at law of another. For laying out, opening or altering highways, except in cases of state roads extending into more than one county, and military roads to aid in the construction of which lands shall have been or may be granted by congress. For authorizing persons to keep ferries wholly within this state. For authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors, or others under disability. For assessment or collection of taxes, or for extending the time for collection thereof. For granting corporate powers or privileges. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. For incorporating any town or village or to amend the charter thereof. From giving effect to invalid deeds, wills or other instruments. Releasing or extinguishing in whole or in part, the indebtedness, liability or other obligation, of any person, or corporation to this state, or to any municipal corporation therein. Declaring any person of age or authorizing any minor to sell, lease, or encumber his or her property. Legalizing, except as against the state, the unauthorized or invalid act of any officer. Regulating the rates of interest on money. Remitting fines, penalties or forfeitures. Providing for the management of common schools. Authorizing the adoption of children. For limitation of civil or criminal actions. Changing county lines, locating or changing county seats, provided, this shall not be construed to apply to the creation of new counties.
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 6 — Article XXVII / Section 6
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 6
Status: in_force

- RETENTION OF TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. All officers now holding their office under the authority of the United States, or of the Territory of Washington, shall continue to hold and exercise their respective offices until they shall be superseded by the authority of the state.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 32 — Article II / Section 32
WA Const., Article II, Section 32
Status: in_force

- Laws, How Signed No bill shall become a law until the same shall have been signed by the presiding officer of each of the two houses in open session, and under such rules as the legislature shall prescribe.
Wa. Const. art. XXIII, § 3 — Article XXIII / Section 3
WA Const., Article XXIII, Section 3
Status: in_force

- Submission to the People Any Constitution adopted by such convention shall have no validity until it has been submitted to and adopted by the people.
Wa. Const. art. X, § 5 — Article X / Section 5
WA Const., Article X, Section 5
Status: in_force

- Privilege from Arrest The militia shall, in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at musters and elections of officers, and in going to and returning from the same.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 18 — Article I / Section 18
WA Const., Article I, Section 18
Status: in_force

- Military Power, Limitation of The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power .
Wa. Const. art. II, § 16 — Article II / Section 16
WA Const., Article II, Section 16
Status: in_force

- Privileges From Arrest Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony and breach of the peace; they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session.
Wa. Const. art. I, § 35 — Article I / Section 35
WA Const., Article I, Section 35
Status: in_force

- Protection of Employees The legislature shall pass necessary laws for the protection of persons working in mines, factories and other employments dangerous to life or deleterious to health; and fix pains and penalties for the enforcement of the same.
Wa. Const. art. III, § 9 — Article III / Section 9
WA Const., Article III, Section 9
Status: in_force

- Pardoning Power The pardoning power shall be vested in the governor under such regulations and restrictions as may be prescribed by law.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 15 — Article II / Section 15
WA Const., Article II, Section 15
Status: in_force

- Writs of Election to Fill Vacancies The governor shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies as may occur in either house of the legislature.
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 18 — Article XXVII / Section 18
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 18
Status: in_force

- Ballot The form of ballot to be used in voting for or against this Constitution, or for or against the separate articles, or for the permanent location of the seat of government, shall be: 1. For the Constitution - - - - - - - - - - - - Against the Constitution - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. For Woman Suffrage Article - - - - - - - - - - - - Against Woman Suffrage Article - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. For Prohibition Article - - - - - - - - - - - - Against Prohibition Article - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. For the Permanent Location of the Seat of Government (Name of place voted for) - - - - - - - - - - - - The result of the election was against both woman suffrage and prohibition.
Wa. Const. art. III, § 16 — Article III / Section 16
WA Const., Article III, Section 16
Status: in_force

- Lieutenant Governor, Duties and Salary The lieutenant governor shall be presiding officer of the state senate, and shall discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall receive an annual salary of one thousand dollars, which may be increased by the legislature, but shall never exceed three thousand dollars per annum.
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 14 — Article XXVII / Section 14
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 14
Status: in_force

DURATION OF TERM OF CERTAIN OFFICERS. All district, county and precinct officers, who may be in office at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, and the county clerk of each county elected at the first election, shall hold their respective offices until the second Monday of January, A. D., 1891, and until such time as their successors may be elected and qualified, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution; and the official bonds of all such officers shall continue in full force and effect as though this Constitution had not been adopted. And such officers shall continue to receive the compensation now provided, until the same be changed by law.
Wa. Const. art. III, § 5 — Article III / Section 5
WA Const., Article III, Section 5
Status: in_force

- General Duties of Governor The governor may require information in writing from the officers of the state upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 36 — Article II / Section 36
WA Const., Article II, Section 36
Status: in_force

- When Bills Must Be Introduced No bill shall be considered in either house unless the time of its introduction shall have been at least ten days before the final adjournment of the legislature, unless the legislature shall otherwise direct by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, said vote to be taken by yeas and nays and entered upon the journal, or unless the same be at a special session.
Wa. Const. art. XXVII, § 7 — Article XXVII / Section 7
WA Const., Article XXVII, Section 7
Status: in_force

- CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, WHEN ELECTED. All officers provided for in this Constitution including a county clerk for each county when no other time is fixed for their election, shall be elected at the election to be held for the adoption of this Constitution on the first Tuesday of October, 1889.
Wa. Const. art. XIX, § 1 — Article XIX / Section 1
WA Const., Article XIX, Section 1
Status: in_force

- Exemptions -- homesteads, Etc. The legislature shall protect by law from forced sale a certain portion of the homestead and other property of all heads of families.
Wa. Const. art. II, § 14 — Article II / Section 14
WA Const., Article II, Section 14
Status: in_force

- Same, Federal or Other Office No person, being a member of congress, or holding any civil or military office under the United States or any other power, shall be eligible to be a member of the legislature; and if any person after his election as a member of the legislature, shall be elected to congress or be appointed to any other office, civil or military, under the government of the United States, or any other power, his acceptance thereof shall vacate his seat, provided, that officers in the militia of the state who receive no annual salary, local officers and postmasters, whose compensation does not exceed three hundred dollars per annum, shall not be ineligible.