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HJR 4211

Amending the Constitution to eliminate line item vetoes.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Peter Abbarno and 37 co-sponsors

Constitutional amendment eliminating Washington governor's line-item veto power, shifting budget control toward the legislature and creating all-or-nothing bill outcomes.

First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
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Bill Summary · HJR 4211

Legislative bill overview

HJR 4211 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate the governor's line-item veto power in Washington State. Currently, the governor can veto specific spending items within appropriations bills while approving the rest. This amendment would require the governor to either sign or veto entire bills without selective rejection of individual line items.

Why is this important

The line-item veto is a significant executive power affecting state budget negotiations and spending priorities. Eliminating it would shift budgetary control back to the legislature, making governors less able to block specific projects or programs they oppose while accepting the rest of a bill. This could substantially change the balance of power in state budget processes and may affect infrastructure, education, and social service spending decisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Executive power reduction: Governors would lose a negotiating tool that allows precision in budget management; critics argue this strengthens legislative spending without executive oversight
  • All-or-nothing dynamics: Legislators might be forced to accept unwanted spending to pass necessary appropriations, or governors might reject entire budgets over disagreements on specific items
  • Fiscal responsibility debate: Supporters argue it prevents arbitrary executive cuts; opponents contend it removes important accountability mechanisms for wasteful spending

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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