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King County Council Legislative Process Glossary
The King County Council legislative process includes a variety of documents, meeting materials, and terms that may be unfamiliar to the public. This glossary provides plain-language definitions for common legislative terms, abbreviations, and document types used throughout the process.
If you have arrived at this page looking for information on a term or abbreviation, please use the search button. If you are here looking for information on how to actively participate in and track the legislative process? please visit our Public Guide.
Common File Name Abbreviations
ATTACH or ATT = Attachment
AMEND or AMD = Amendment
STRIKINGAMEND or AMDS = Striking Amendment
TITLEAMEND or AMDT = Title Amendment
SR = Staff Report (Overview)
RPT = Report
What Is Being Considered?
The Council considers two kinds of legislation: ordinances and motions.
An ordinance is legislation that changes county law, authorizes agreements, capital plans, budgets, fees, and more. Ordinances are of a general or permanent nature. They frequently create, change, or repeal county code.
Ordinances covering specific or temporary circumstances, such as approving a short-term contract for example, are not included in code or “codified.” Ordinances become law if approved by the Council and signed by the Executive. An ordinance can also be deemed enacted without a signature from the Executive so long as it was not vetoed.
A motion is legislation that does not change county law and does not have the force of law. Motions are commonly used to adopt policies, approve appointments, request reports, or express the Council's position on an issue.
The term “motion” is also used during meetings to refer to a formal procedure for taking a certain action, such as to put legislation up for a vote (“Will the sponsor make a motion?”). This type of motion is not legislation, but rather a procedural term.
Legislation that combines multiple related changes or actions into a single measure. An omnibus ordinance or motion allows the Council to consider many changes at the same time.
Substitute motions or ordinances replace the original version of the legislation being considered. They are created after legislation has been amended in committee or full Council and incorporate the changes that were approved by a majority of members.
Proposed substitute motions and ordinances may be called “Version 2” or “Version 3” and may be identified with a “.2” or “.3” at the end of the file number.
Ordinances adopted to address an urgent situation affecting public health, safety, government operations, or another immediate county need. The Council must agree to suspend the council rules in order to take up emergency ordinances. Emergency ordinances may take effect sooner than other legislation. Six affirmative votes are required to enact an emergency ordinance.
The final version of an ordinance that has been adopted and has taken effect as law. Each adopted ordinance and motion is given an enactment number assigned sequentially by order of adoption (e.g. “Ordinance 16475”). Note that ordinances and motions use the same enactment number convention, so it is important to note whether you are looking for an ordinance or a motion when using the enactment number.
Who is Involved?
The Councilmember elected by fellow Councilmembers to lead the King County Council. The Chair presides over Council meetings, helps guide the legislative process, and represents the Council in its official business.
The Councilmember selected to lead a Council committee. The Committee Chair presides over committee meetings, helps develop meeting agendas, and guides the committee's review of legislation and policy issues within its area of responsibility.
The Councilmember who introduces a piece of legislation. Sponsors introduce legislation and typically take the lead in explaining and advancing it through the legislative process. Other Councilmembers that support the legislation may also choose to sign-on as cosponsors.
A smaller group of Councilmembers assigned to review legislation in specific policy areas. Most legislation is first discussed, amended, and voted on in committee before advancing to a vote of the full Council. A list of committees can be found here.
The elected King County Executive, who can propose legislation, administers county government, and may sign or veto ordinances approved by the Council.
The office responsible for maintaining legislative records, publishing meeting agendas, processing legislation, and supporting Council meetings.
What Happens at Meetings?
A status indicating that legislation, a report, or another document has been formally submitted to the Council for consideration. Many items are transmitted to the Council by the County Executive.
The formal step that places legislation before the Council for consideration. Once introduced, legislation becomes part of the public legislative process and may be referred to a committee for review.
First reading refers to the part in the process where the legislation is formally introduced to the Council. Typically the legislation is referred, or sent, to a committee for consideration. Public comment is not taken on first reading of legislation.
The legislation is in a committee for review and consideration. The committee may debate, amend, recommend, or defer the legislation. The committee can advance, or "pass out", legislation to full Council, either as with recommended approval, as a "do pass recommendation," or passed without recommendation.
The stage of the legislative process when the full Council considers legislation for possible action. During second reading, the Council may debate, amend, approve, reject, or defer the legislation.
A presentation or discussion intended to inform Councilmembers about a topic or a piece of legislation. Briefings are designated with a "B" in their file number, such as 2026-B0001.
A decision to postpone consideration of legislation or another agenda item until a future meeting. Deferrals may be used to allow more time for review, discussion, or additional information.
An advertised and noticed portion of a council meeting to gather public testimony or comment on a specific issue, proposal, or piece of legislation before a decision is made. The public may testify in person, virtually, or provide written comments, which become part of the legislative record and used in the Council’s deliberations. Hearings provide an opportunity for members of the public to share their views before decisions are made.
The formal process by which Councilmembers pass, reject, and/or amend legislation.
One or more pieces of legislation that are not individually briefed by staff and are considered together in a single vote. Any Councilmember may request that legislation be removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion and vote.
A term used to describe legislation that did not complete the legislative process before a deadline. Lapsed legislation is no longer under consideration.
The Council’s final vote to approve legislation. After final passage, legislation may proceed to the County Executive for signature, veto, or other action as required by law.
Executive Sessions are portions of committee or Council meetings that are closed to the public to discuss sensitive matters. What can be discussed in executive session is limited under state law, and include topics such as security matters, real estate transactions, contract negotiations, litigation or potential litigation, or proprietary information.
What Documents Will I See?
Every piece of legislation contains two primary parts: a title and a body.
All legislation includes a title, which is a broad statement of subject matter. Titles also include information about the previously adopted ordinances and the portion of King County Code that would be modified by the legislation.
All legislation has the main text, which may include findings or statements of fact, proposed changes to county laws and codes, directives for the Executive, and effective dates.
A document prepared by nonpartisan Council staff that explains legislation, provides background information, identifies potential impacts, and highlights issues for Council consideration.
A document submitted to the Council that provides information, analysis, recommendations, or updates on a specific topic. Reports are often required by legislation or requested by the Council and may be generated by the Executive. Reports are designated with “RPT” in their file number, such as 2026-RPT-0001.
A unique number assigned to each piece of proposed legislation, such as 2026-0126. This number is used to track legislation throughout the legislative process. The four digits at the beginning represent the year the legislation was introduced. If legislation is adopted, it is assigned a separate enactment number (such as Ordinance 16475), which may be used in future reports, agendas, and other Council materials. Briefings are designated with a “B”, such as 2026-B0001, and reports are designated with a “RPT”, such as 2026-RPT0001.
A letter from the Executive that formally submits legislation, reports, or other materials to the Council. It typically explains the purpose of the proposal and why it is being transmitted.
A supporting document attached to legislation, an amendment, or a staff report. Attachments may include plans, maps, contracts, technical reports, or other reference materials. These documents are posted as part of the legislative record and will begin with the abbreviation ATTACH. Files posted prior to July 1, 2026 are abbreviated with ATT.
How Are Changes Made?
Changes to legislation are made through amendments. Amendments may modify specific language, an entire section, the title, or an attached document. There may be multiple amendments to a piece of legislation, and they are numbered sequentially (such as AMD1 and AMD5). The Council generally considers three types of amendments.
One of three types of amendments that propose a change or changes to legislation. A line amendment either adds or deletes, or both, material in specific portions of the legislation. These documents are posted in the legislative record and will end with the abbreviation AMEND. Files posted prior to July 1, 2026 are abbreviated with AMD.
One of three types of amendments that propose a change or changes to legislation. A striking amendment deletes the entire text of legislation and inserts new language. These documents are posted in the legislative record and will end with the abbreviation STRIKINGAMEND. Files posted prior to July 1, 2026 are abbreviated with AMDS.
One of three types of amendments that propose a change or changes to legislation. A title amendment changes only the title of legislation, usually to ensure that the title accurately reflects the contents of the legislation. These documents are posted in LegiSearch and will end with the abbreviation TITLEAMEND. Files posted prior to July 1, 2026 are abbreviated with AMDT.
What Materials Are Available for Meetings?
A list of items scheduled for discussion or action at a meeting. Agendas help the public understand what will be considered and when.
A collection of materials prepared for a meeting, including legislation, staff reports, amendments, and supporting documents.
The official written record of a meeting. Minutes summarize actions taken and votes.
What Happens After Decisions are Made?
The date on which legislation becomes legally effective. Some legislation takes effect immediately, while other legislation becomes effective on a future date specified in the measure or by law.
The County Executive's authority to reject legislation that has been approved by the Council. If the Executive issues a veto, the Council may override it with a vote of at least six Councilmembers.
Looking to Follow the Budgetary Process?
The county's two-year financial plan. The biennial budget outlines how King County expects to collect and spend public funds over a two-year period.
An ordinance that adopts the county's budget and authorizes spending for a specific budget period. The budget ordinance establishes how public funds may be used.
The legal authority to spend public funds for a specific purpose. The Council grants appropriations through the budget and other legislation.
Legislation that modifies the adopted budget after it has already been approved. Supplemental budgets (also called an omnibus) are used to address new funding needs, grants, emergencies, updated revenue projections, or changing priorities.
A condition attached to funding approved by the Council. The condition must be met before some or all of the funding can be spent.
How County Government is Organized
The governing document for King County. Similar to a constitution, the Charter establishes the structure of county government and defines the powers and responsibilities of elected officials and county agencies.
The King County Code (abbreviated as K.C.C.) represents the collection of permanent and general laws that have been adopted by ordinance. These laws can be changed by ordinance.