Original 1878 State of Washington Constitution

1889 State
of Washington Constitution

2010 State
of Washington Constitution

Article VI
Legislative

ARTICLE II
Legislative

ARTICLE II
Legislative

LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT

LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT

Section 13.

Section 16.

Members of the legislature shall, in all cases, except treason,
felon violation of their oath of office, and breach of the peace, be
privileged from arrest, during their attendance at any session of the
legislature, and in going to and returning from the same, and no member shall
be liable in any criminal action or criminal prosecution whatever for words
spoken in debate.

SECTION
16 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.

SECTION
16 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.

Section 31.
(Militia)

ARTICLE X Militia

ARTICLE X Militia

The legislature shall determine what persons constitute the militia of the state, and may
provide for organizing and disciplining the same in such manner as may be
prescribed by law.

SECTION 1 WHO LIABLE TO MILITARY DUTY.
All able-bodied male citizens of this state between the ages of eighteen (18) and forty-five (45) years except such as are exempt by laws of the United States or by
the laws of this state, shall be liable to military duty.

SECTION 1 WHO LIABLE TO MILITARY DUTY.
All able-bodied male citizens of this state between the ages of eighteen (18)
and forty-five (45) years except such as are exempt by laws of the United
States or by the laws of this state, shall be liable to military duty.

Section 34.

The legislature shall pass laws defining the personal and
property rights of married women.

SECTION 2 ORGANIZATION -- DISCIPLINE -- OFFICERS -- POWER TO
CALL OUT. The legislature shall provide by law for
organizing and disciplining the militia in such manner as it may deem
expedient, not incompatible with the Constitution and laws of the United
States. Officers of the militia shall be elected or appointed in such manner
as the legislature shall from time to time direct and shall be commissioned
by the governor. The governor shall have power
to call forth the militia to execute the laws of the state to suppress
insurrections and repel invasions.

SECTION 2 ORGANIZATION -- DISCIPLINE -- OFFICERS -- POWER TO
CALL OUT. The legislature shall provide by law for
organizing and disciplining the militia in such manner as it may deem
expedient, not incompatible with the Constitution and laws of the United
States. Officers of the militia shall be elected or appointed in such manner
as the legislature shall from time to time direct and shall be commissioned
by the governor. The governor shall have power
to call forth the militia to execute the laws of the state to suppress
insurrections and repel invasions.

Section 35.

The privilege of the debtor to enjoy the necessary comforts of
life shall be recognized by wholesome laws, exempting a reasonable amount of
property from seizure or sale, for the payment of any debt or liability
hereafter contracted.

SECTION 4 PUBLIC ARMS. The legislature shall provide by law, for
the protection and safe keeping of the public arms.

SECTION 4 PUBLIC ARMS. The legislature shall provide by law, for
the protection and safe keeping of the public arms.

SECTION 5 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.

SECTION 5 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.

SECTION 6 EXEMPTION FROM MILITARY DUTY.
No person or persons, having conscientious scruples against bearing arms,
shall be compelled to do militia duty in time of peace: Provided, such person or persons shall pay an equivalent for such
exemption.

SECTION 6 EXEMPTION FROM MILITARY DUTY.
No person or persons, having conscientious scruples against bearing arms,
shall be compelled to do militia duty in time of peace: Provided, such person or persons shall pay an equivalent for such
exemption.

Section 22.

SECTION 24 LOTTERIES AND DIVORCE. The
legislature shall never grant any divorce. Lotteries shall be prohibited except as specifically authorized upon the affirmative vote
of sixty percent of the members of each house of the legislature or,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, by referendum or
initiative approved by a sixty percent affirmative vote of the electors
voting thereon. [AMENDMENT 56, 1971 Senate Joint Resolution No. 5, p 1828. Approved
November 7, 1972.]

The legislature shall never authorize any lottery, nor grant any
divorce. The sale of lottery tickets shall be prohibited by law.