In the absence of the Lt. Governor, the President Pro Tempore, or Vice President Pro Tempore, both Senators elected by the body from the majority party, assume that role. Assisting the presiding - officer on the rostrum are the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Senate, Journal Clerk, Status Clerk, and Reading Clerk. Attorneys from the Office of Senate Counsel are present for consultation on parliamentary and legal questions before the body. Caucus Each of the political parties has an organization of its own which provides leadership and direction to its members. The majority leadership appoints committee chairs, and determines the assignment of bills to committees and bills to be considered by the body.
Caucus chairs preside at caucus meetings.
Other majority and minority officers, such as floor leaders and whips, have responsibility for procedural functions while the Senate is in session. Committees The Senate itself is organized into standing committees for the purpose of hearing, amending, and passing bills to the floor for action by the body. The Senate Rules Committee is chaired by the Lt. Governor, and determines which bills that have passed out of the standing committees will be heard on the floor. The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee, comprised of the leadership from each caucus, establishes policies and procedures governing Senate operations. Thank you for your interest in the Washington State Senate.