Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council


The Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council is a twenty-two member council created in July 2005 with the purpose of advising the Washington State Legislature on issues related to the youth of Washington.
Students ages 14–18 submit an application to LYAC, and the Applications Committee reviews these throughout the summer. When final members are selected, the council sends these recommendations to Washington's Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib for final appointment. Each term lasts two years, and members may be reappointed for subsequent two year terms if they remain eligible. Most years, 11 positions will open up, as half of the council will no longer be eligible.

Duties of the Council

SB 5254, enacted by the legislature in 2005, outlines the council's duties as follows:

a) Advising the Legislature on proposed and pending legislation, including state budget expenditures and policy matters relating to youth;

b) Advising the standing committees of the Legislature and study commissions, committees and task forces regarding issues relating to youth;

c) Conducting periodic seminars for its members regarding leadership, government, and the Legislature; and

d) Reporting annually by December 1 to the Legislature on its activities, including proposed legislation that implements recommendations of the council.

This council may hold meetings between three and six times a year, and hold up to two public meetings per year.
Washington LYAC must also submit an annual report to the Washington Legislature.

LYAC Action

Each year during the Washington Legislative Session, the members of the Washington LYAC come together to meet with state senators and representatives. They advise the legislators on issues that the council has previously decided on. In past years the council has supported proposals to expand voting rights to some youth, environmental causes such as discouraging plastic bags, and youth issues such as improving foster care, lowering the rate of high school dropouts, and discouraging drug use.