# Legislative Youth Advisory Council

Washington's official nonpartisan youth advisory body to the state legislature: 22 students in grades 7-10 serve two-year terms writing policy recommendations, testifying, and lobbying in Olympia. Free.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 7–10 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Olympia, WA |
| Apply | https://walyac.org/apply |

## About this program

# Legislative Youth Advisory Council

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the statutory, nonpartisan youth advisory body to the Washington State Legislature. Roughly 22 students are selected each cycle from a range of political, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and each serves a two-year term producing real policy recommendations for legislators.

## What You'll Do

- Research youth-facing policy issues in committees and draft recommendations for the legislature
- Testify before legislative committees and lobby legislators on council priorities
- Take part in the annual Action Day in Olympia
- Convene monthly as a full council and meet in person up to six times a year
- Organize outreach events that bring other Washington students into the policy process

## Who Should Apply

Washington residents in grades 7-10 at the time of application, ages 14-18. The application asks for four short essay responses (300-word limit each) and a letter of recommendation. Selection is competitive and the council deliberately recruits across the state, not just from the Puget Sound corridor.

## Outcomes

LYAC is free to participants. Members finish a two-year term with committee testimony on the record, drafted policy language, working relationships with sitting legislators, and one of the few genuinely governmental leadership credentials available to a middle or early high schooler.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Legislative Youth Advisory Council cost?

Legislative Youth Advisory Council is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Legislative Youth Advisory Council?

Legislative Youth Advisory Council is open to students in grades 7–10 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Legislative Youth Advisory Council online or in person?

Legislative Youth Advisory Council is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Olympia, WA).

### How do I apply to Legislative Youth Advisory Council?

Apply directly through Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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