Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill aimed at creating a committee to oversee the redesign of the Washington state flag. House Bill 1938, sponsored by Representatives Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Julia Reed (D-Seattle), and Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), seeks to develop a flag that more accurately represents the state’s unique identity and diverse population.
The proposed committee will be responsible for selecting the final design, which will then be presented to voters in a statewide referendum. Washington is joining a few other states in re-evaluating their flag designs. Recent discussions on redesigns in states like Mississippi and Utah have focused on creating flags that align with contemporary values and identities.
The current Washington state flag was adopted in 1923. In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association ranked it 47th out of 72 flags from U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces, citing its complicated seal as a significant drawback.
Supporters of the change argue that the existing design is overly intricate, hard to reproduce, and fails to capture the state’s distinct character. Many also feel that the depiction of George Washington lacks a meaningful connection to the state’s rich history and cultural diversity. George Washington was also a slaver.
House Bill 1938 proposes the establishment of the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee, which would include representatives from the Washington State Arts Commission, state legislators, historians, designers, cultural leaders, tribal representatives, and citizens from various regions of the state.
The committee’s role will be to craft a new flag design that accurately reflects Washington’s shared history, resources, and varied communities. Public engagement will be a key component of this process, involving outreach to schools, community organizations, tribes, public forums, and online surveys.
If House Bill 1938 is passed, the committee aims to have a new design ready by July 1, 2028, which will then be submitted to the electorate for approval in a general election. This ensures that any changes to the state flag will align with the preferences of Washington’s residents. The bill is set for its first public hearing on February 18 before the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, with a vote scheduled for three days later.
