Washington House Bill HJR4211

Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/24
• Refer: 1/22/24

Caption

Amending the Constitution to eliminate line item vetoes.

Impact

If enacted, the elimination of the line item veto could lead to significant changes in how state budgets are crafted and approved. Legislators would be required to either accept or reject whole budget proposals as they are presented, which may prevent governors from leveraging the veto power to influence specific allocations. This reform could theoretically lead to more comprehensive budget discussions, as all aspects of the budget would need to be considered collectively by the legislature.

Summary

HJR4211 proposes an amendment to the state constitution aimed at eliminating line item vetoes. This change would alter the current balance of power in budgeting processes within the state legislature, aiming to streamline decision-making. Proponents of the bill argue that abolishing the line item veto would enhance legislative accountability and transparency, forcing all budgetary decisions to be made by full votes rather than allowing governors to selectively veto parts of budget bills.

Contention

The proposal has sparked debate among lawmakers, as some express concerns that the removal of the line item veto could diminish executive oversight over budgetary matters. Opponents argue that this could lead to less precise budgeting, where individual funding needs for various programs may not get adequate attention if they are bundled into larger proposals. This contention highlights a fundamental disagreement over the balance of legislative versus executive power in the state's governance structure.