SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5615
As of January 7, 2022
Title: An act relating to designating pickleball as the official state sport.
Brief Description: Designating pickleball as the official state sport.
Sponsors: Senators Lovick and Hunt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government & Elections: 1/12/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Designates pickleball as the official state sport.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & ELECTIONS
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background:

On a Saturday afternoon in the summer of 1965, Congressman (and future Lieutenant Governor) Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum devised a new game for their families at Pritchard's summer cabin on Bainbridge Island.  Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball.  Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum intended for the game to be enjoyed by persons of all ages and skill levels.  Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles.

 

Today, the national governing body for pickleball, USA Pickleball, has approximately 40,000 registered members and estimates that over 4 million people play pickleball at nearly 8500 locations nationally, while the International Federation of Pickleball counts 67 member countries.
Summary of Bill:

Pickleball is designated as the official state sport.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.