Washington House Democrats

2008 Committees

Commerce & Labor
The House Commerce & Labor Committee considers labor issues relating to the workers' compensation system, the unemployment insurance system, workforce development, collective bargaining, and employment standards, such as wage laws and working conditions. Commerce issues considered by the committee include business regulation, the regulation of professions (except for financial and health care professions), and consumer protection. The committee also considers the regulation and oversight of liquor and gambling activity (both tribal and non-tribal), including the state lottery and horse racing.

Health Care and Wellness
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee considers a broad range of issues relating to the provision of physical and mental health care services and strategies to promote better health. Health care service issues include the licensing and regulation of health care facilities (such as hospitals, trauma care centers, and long-term care facilities) and the credentialing of health care providers (such as doctors, nurses, chiropractors, and mental health professionals). The committee also regulates pharmacies and pharmaceutical drugs, and has oversight and regulatory responsibility for state and local public health programs. The committee also considers issues relating to the accessibility and affordability of health care in both the private health insurance market and public health programs such as medicaid and the basic health plan.

Judiciary
The House Judiciary Committee considers a wide variety of subjects relating to civil and criminal law, including issues involving commercial law, torts, probate, guardianships, drunk driving, courts and judicial administration; and family law issues such as marriage, marriage dissolution, child support and adoption.

Rules
The Rules Committee considers all bills reported from policy and fiscal committees and determines whether, and in what order, to schedule their consideration on the floor of the House. The Rules Committee also reviews, adopts and schedules consideration of floor resolutions.