Washington SJR 8212: Concerning qualifications of legislators.

Bill Text

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1
STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:2
THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the 3
secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state 4
for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to 5
Article II, section 7 of the Constitution of the state of Washington 6
to read as follows:7
Article II, section 7. ((No person shall be eligible to the 8
legislature who shall not be a citizen of the United States and a 9
qualified voter in the district for which he is chosen.)) (1) A 10
person filing for candidacy for the legislature, or seeking 11
appointment in case of a vacancy, is eligible for election, 12
appointment, holding office, and remaining in office only if that 13
person:14
(a) Is a citizen of the United States of America;15
(b) Is a qualified voter in the district for which he or she is 16
chosen;17
(c) Is at least 25 years old;18
(d) Has obtained a high school diploma or high school equivalency 19
certificate;20
S-4899.1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8212
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Wagoner, McCune, Boehnke, Dozier, Torres, Goehner,
Harris, Christian, Short, J. Wilson, and Holy
Read first time 02/12/26. Referred to Committee on State Government,
Tribal Affairs & Elections.
p. 1 SJR 8212

(e) Has not been convicted under the laws of this state, another 1
state, the United States, or the substantial equivalent under foreign 2
law, of a felony;3
(f) Has not been convicted under the laws of this state, another 4
state, the United States, or the substantial equivalent under foreign 5
law, of a gross misdemeanor;6
(g) Has not engaged in and does not engage in conduct requiring 7
denial or revocation of certification as a peace officer or 8
correctional officer, debarment from legal practice, or other denial 9
or revocation of a professional license or certification;10
(h) Has received at least a general discharge under honorable 11
conditions from any branch of the armed services for any military 12
service if the person was in the military service;13
(i) Has never had a professional certification denied, revoked, 14
or voluntarily surrendered, and not reinstated; and15
(j) Has completed a background investigation as provided in 16
subsection (2) of this section.17
(2) Any person seeking election, or appointment in the case of a 18
vacancy, to the legislature, must submit to a background 19
investigation conducted by the state patrol to determine the person's 20
suitability for office. The background investigation must have been 21
completed within the prior six months, and include:22
(a) A check of criminal history;23
(b) Inquiry into whether the person has any past or present 24
affiliations with extremist organizations;25
(c) A review of the person's social media accounts;26
(d) Verification of citizenship status;27
(e) A psychological examination; and28
(f) A polygraph or similar assessment.29
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause 30
notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four 31
times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every 32
legal newspaper in the state.33
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p. 2 SJR 8212