Library-Related Legislation

Legislative Committee Roster | Library-Related Legislation | WA Library Legislative Day

WLA actively pursues a legislative agenda that presents the interests of its members through a legislative planning committee and a contract government relationship representative who works with the Washington State Legislature. WLA's lobbyist is Carolyn Logue.

About the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 Legislative Session is now underway! With over 30 new legislators and a new Governor, plus a budget shortfall of $12 billion or more, it promises to be a session to watch—and one where WLA will need to be very involved.  It will be important for everyone to come to the WA Library Legislative Day in Olympia to meet with legislators and help push forward the goals of WLA. Help keep libraries at the forefront of legislator decisions!

WLA's Focus for 2025

• Digital Equity: We need policy and funding decisions to improve digital equity and access with libraries as a major player. We also need to make sure that the funding decisions or taxes do not negatively impact our libraries’ ability to purchase needed devices.
• School Library/Teacher-Librarian Issues: We will continue to push and advocate for INCREASING access to school library information technology programs and certificated teacher-librarians for ALL students in Washington’s K-12 schools. 
• Librarian Safety: WLA will work to ensure public safety bills include protecting librarians and staff through restrictions on disclosure of their personal information and staffing schedules.
• Digital Purchasing: We will work for a study to look at the problems involved in digital purchasing and to identify solutions that ensure access to digital books and materials through libraries.
• Study/budget proviso for study to come up with scope of problem and recommended solutions.
• Library Capital Improvement Fund: WLA will continue to push for additional dollars in the Capital Budget/LCI fund to help libraries with building needs.

WLA Bill Tracker

Curious about bills that WLA is watching in 2025? Familiarize yourself with bills our lobbyist and WLA Legislative Committee are monitoring, below.

Track bills on your own using this handy guide!

Past Legislative Days

2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

Past Legislative Reports

2021 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Resources

Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
Find Your Legislator (includes District maps)
Member Rosters & Information
Bill Information (includes links to the text of Initiatives)

Federal Library Legislation Links
ALA Washington Office
ALA Federal Resources for Advocacy

Library Advocacy Resources
Legislators and Libraries A Guide for Improving and Maintaining Communications
Building Legislative Support – Winning Library Champions