About LYAC

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) serves as the official nonpartisan youth advisory body to the state legislature. The 14-18 year-old student members from a wide variety of geographic, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds are given the opportunity to make tangible change at the state level by:

  • Meeting with legislators to advocate for policies relevant to youth priorities;

  • Testifying before the state legislature to support or oppose legislation;

  • Advising government officials, policymakers, and leaders in various fields;

  • Collaborating with nearly 200 community organizations to promote statewide change;

  • Hosting events around the state with hundreds of youth attendees;

  • Talking with media outlets such as the Associated Press, Teen Vogue, and KING-5 about student voice;

  • Partnering with government agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health to provide your perspective;

  • Writing actual laws; and

  • Making sure youth are at the table when decisions are being made!

To learn more, visit Our Work.
The council is fully youth-led with oversight from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Washington State Leadership Board.

How Does LYAC Represent Youth?

LYAC works continually to make sure that it fulfills its role as the only legally recognized youth advisory body to the legislature. Throughout the year, LYAC collaborates with nearly 200 youth community organizations to understand student priorities and support progress at every level. LYAC also distributes surveys to every corner of the state to ensure up-to-date representation of the views of youth. Each year, LYAC hosts events for students in order to facilitate connections between young people and policymakers and to ascertain their policy priorities. Applications for membership are reviewed each year with a focus on ensuring equal access to those with a wide range of life experiences, which LYAC firmly believes furthers its mission to provide strong advocacy to the state government.

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is the only nonpartisan youth-led committee empowered by state law to represent the official voice of Washington youth to the Legislature. It is entirely student-led, and administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Each year, a select group of 14-18 year old students from a diverse range of political, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds are appointed to the council by the Lt. Governor’s Office with the help of existing members. On the council, students spend two years learning about and engaging directly with the legislative process by making meaningful policy recommendations to the Legislature. Established in 2005 as the brainchild of then-12 year old Alex Jonlin, a semi-finalist for the Harvard Kennedy School's Innovations in Government award, LYAC is enduring proof of teenagers' ability to make change in their communities.

From lobbying legislators, to hosting events with hundreds of young people from across the state, to traveling around the state teaching civic engagement workshops, LYAC aims to leave an enduring legacy on the lives of youth across the state with its work.