Rebuffed for years, Washington lawmakers regain Capitol dome access

Washington state legislators regained access to the Capitol dome after years of restrictions. A new budget provision allows 10 lawmakers annually to take guided tours of the dome, which has been off-limits since safety concerns arose in 2007. Senator Mark Schoesler, who advocated for this change, underscored the importance of lawmakers visiting the sites they oversee. The previous governor vetoed similar provisions due to concerns about rescue capabilities in the dome's narrow staircases. This year, Governor Bob Ferguson did not flag those previous concerns, enabling the new provision to pass.

The budget stipulates that lawmakers must sign a liability waiver to participate in the tours. The Department of Enterprise Services is ready to collaborate with the legislature to implement this access policy. Schoesler's efforts mark a significant shift in the Capitol's accessibility for elected officials.