AN ACT Relating to the designation of the state sandstone;
Summary
SB 5489 establishes Wilkeson sandstone as the official sandstone of the state of Washington. The bill adds a new section to chapter 1 RCW to create this designation, making the stone a formal state symbol alongside other official state emblems.
The measure is largely ceremonial and does not create a regulatory program, funding mechanism, or enforcement scheme. Its practical effect is to amend Washington law to recognize a specific geologic material as a state symbol, likely for educational, cultural, and commemorative purposes tied to the state’s heritage and local identity.
Impact
The bill amends Washington statutes by adding a new section to chapter 1 RCW that designates Wilkeson sandstone as the official sandstone of the state. It affects state law only in the sense of creating a new official state symbol; it does not appear to alter private rights, impose duties on agencies, or change existing regulatory requirements for mining, construction, or land use.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received very positively and without controversy. It passed the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections unanimously, 6-0, and then passed the Senate on third reading and final passage unanimously, 48-0. The vote history suggests broad bipartisan support for the symbolic designation.
Contention
No notable substantive opposition is reflected in the available record. Because the bill is symbolic, there is little evidence of disagreement over policy impacts, and the unanimous committee and floor votes indicate that any discussion likely centered on the appropriateness of naming Wilkeson sandstone as a state symbol rather than on legal or fiscal concerns. The absence of committee transcripts also limits visibility into any minor objections or alternative proposals.