Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 1485
Brief Description: Recognizing Women's Suffrage Day as a legal holiday.
Sponsors: Representatives Caldier, Chambers, Graham, Lekanoff, Volz, Sutherland, Jacobsen, Eslick and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Designates March 22 to be a state legal holiday, recognized as Women's Suffrage Day.
Hearing Date: 2/15/21
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

Women's Suffrage.
In 1878 the 19th Amendment to the United States (U.S.) Constitution was first introduced in Congress.  The 19th Amendment prohibits the denial of the right to vote on the basis of sex.  For an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to be adopted, three-fourths of the states must ratify the amendment.  In 1919 both chambers of Congress passed the 19th Amendment.  At that time, 36 states were required to ratify an amendment for it to be adopted.  On March 22, 1920, Washington became the 35th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.  On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment.  The proclamation to certify the 19th Amendment was signed on August 26, 1920.
 
State Holidays.
Washington recognizes 10 specific days as state legal holidays:  New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; President's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Native American Heritage Day; and Christmas Day.  State legal holidays are paid holidays.
 
Another 17 specific days are recognized by the Legislature, but they are not considered legal holidays.  Some of those days commemorate specific events, such as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.  Other days commemorate groups of people, such as Korean-American Day, or certain ideas, such as Human Trafficking Awareness Day and Public Lands Day.

Summary of Bill:

March 22 is designated as a state legal holiday and recognized as Women's Suffrage Day.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.