Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

SSB 5097

Brief Description:  Requiring public entities to display the national league of families' POW/MIA flag.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Winsley, Constantine, Hargrove, Oke, Rasmussen and Patterson).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Public entities must display the POW/MIA flag along with the United States flag and the Washington flag.

Hearing Date:  2/21/02

Staff:  Catherine Blinn (786‑7114).

Background:

The flag of the United States and the Washington flag must be prominently displayed at schools, public buildings, polling places, and in courtrooms.  The flag plazas on the east and west capitol campus are designated as the official locations for display of the United States and Washington  flags on the state capitol grounds.  The flags of visiting United States governors and dignitaries and other flags may be flown at the discretion of the Governor.

Summary of Bill:

Public entities must display the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag along with the flag of the United States and the Washington flag on or near the principal building of a public entity on the following days:

$Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday of May;

$Memorial Day, the last Monday in May;

$Flag Day, June 14;

$Independence Day, July 4;

$National POW/MIA Recognition Day; and

$Veterans' Day, November 11.

If the designated day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the POW/MIA flag must be displayed on the preceding Friday.

Upon request, the Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee shall provide information to public entities regarding the purchase and display of the flags.  Public entities include state, county, city, and town entities.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  2001 Available. New fiscal note requested on February 15, 2002.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.