RADIO | Democrats reject House Republican motion to hold public hearings on citizen initiatives

January 28, 2026

House Democrats rejected a Republican effort Wednesday to ensure public hearings on two citizen initiatives at the state Capitol. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

SATTGAST: Republican Representative Travis Couture moved to suspend House rules to require prompt public hearings, arguing the state Constitution gives initiatives priority.

COUTURE: “Article two, section one of our state’s constitution states the people reserve to themselves the power to propose bills, laws, and to enact or reject the same at the polls, independent of the Legislature.”

SATTGAST: Couture said thousands of Washingtonians signed the Parents’ Rights and Girls Sports Integrity initiatives and deserve to be heard in a public forum.

The House Democratic majority leader urged rejection of Couture’s motion, and Democrats voted it down.

House Republican Chair Peter Abbarno warned that rejecting hearings effectively silences public testimony.

ABBARNO: “Not listening to the people, not considering the voice of over 400,000 Washingtonians, not prioritizing their voices is contrary to the clear language of our state constitution.”

SATTGAST: Democrats then voted to send the initiatives to committee — a move Republicans say likely prevents public hearings. If lawmakers take no action before session ends, both initiatives advance directly to the November ballot. John Sattgast, the state Capitol.