 After much debate, lawmakers approved a bill on April 10, 2007. conferring eleven of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples (when at least one of the individuals is over the age of 62).Governor Christine Gregoire signed the bill April 21, 2007, and the law took effect on July 22, 2007.The first partnerships were registered July 23, 2007, the first business day after the law's effective date.