Cutoff Calendars Explained
The legislative session begins on Monday, January 12th, 2026 – just three weeks away. We are in an even year in the biennium-cycle, meaning that it is a short session with just 60 days to push our policy goals and agendas forward in Olympia. As legislators will be hard at work focusing on supplemental budgets and policy refinements, it is crucial to understand the cutoff calendars to effectively strategize and remain cognizant of key dates in the fast-paced session. If a bill does not meet certain deadlines, it is unlikely that it will receive further consideration. When a bill dies, it cannot be reconsidered until the following session in most cases.
Each year, both the house and senate agree on a timeline for considering bills. The cutoff calendar is adopted by both chambers in a concurrent resolution. The policy committee cutoff is the last day to read committee reports in the house of origin – separate from the fiscal committees and transportation committees. The fiscal committee cutoff is the final day for committee reports to be read from house fiscal committees, Senate Ways & Means, and Transportation committees in the house of origin. A significant cutoff date is the house of origin cutoff – this is the final day for bills to be considered in the chamber that they were first introduced. Following the house of origin cutoff, the same process is replicated in the opposite chamber until the opposite house cutoff – this is the final day to consider opposite house bills. However, budgets, budget implications, matters relating to state revenue, differences between the two chambers, initiatives to the legislature or alternatives, business related to the session interim, or the closing of legislative session are exempt.
The Washington State Legislature recently released the 2026 draft cutoff calendar. Below are key dates:
January 12th, 2026: First day of session
February 4th, 2026: Policy Committee Cutoff
February 9th, 2026: Fiscal Committee Cutoff
February 17th, 2026: House of Origin Cutoff
February 25th, 2026: Policy Committee Cutoff – Opposite House
March 2nd, 2026: Fiscal Committee Cutoff – Opposite House
March 6th, 2026: Opposite House Cutoff
March 12th, 2026: Sine Die – Last Day of Regular Session
As we work to advance policy and budget items, organizing our efforts around these dates is essential for success. These dates guide our mobilization efforts – when to testify or provide data to elected officials or pushing for amendments prior to committee meetings. Furthermore, following these dates allows for seamless coordination between clients and stakeholders in terms of lobby days, virtual meetings, and connecting with key staff in the legislature. In preparation for the 60-day session, the Pettigrew Consulting Services team will stay in close contact with our clients as we aim to be proactive about securing meetings and organizing lobby days based on client needs and legislative agendas.