Bill > HB1938

This bill establishes the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee to create a new state flag that better represents the state's diversity, history, and identity. The committee will be composed of 16 members, including representatives from the arts commission, state legislature, secretary of state's office, historical society, designers, cultural leaders, tribal representatives, and citizen representatives from different regions of the state. The committee's primary responsibilities include developing a new flag design through a comprehensive public engagement process, soliciting design suggestions from schools, community organizations, and tribes, hosting public forums and online surveys, and reviewing submitted designs for creativity, historical relevance, and representation of Washington's diverse population and landscapes. The committee must select up to five final designs, with the final design chosen by unanimous vote, and then submit a detailed report to the legislature and governor by August 1, 2028. The new flag design will be submitted to voters in a referendum at the next general election, allowing citizens to choose between the proposed new design and the current flag. The bill recognizes the current state flag's limitations, including its complex design featuring a detailed portrait of George Washington, lack of distinctiveness, and failure to capture the state's unique character. The committee and its related provisions will expire on January 1, 2029.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1938&Year=2025&Initiative=false