HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1279

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Title:  An act relating to the Washington state day of peace.

Brief Description:  Recognizing a state day of peace.

Sponsors:  Representatives Simpson, Cairnes, Santos, Kenney and McIntire.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  1/18/02, 1/29/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Recognizes April 20 as a Washington state day of peace.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McDermott, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; and Schindler.

Staff:  Kimberly Berry (786‑7291).

Background:

A variety of dates are recognized in Washington without being considered legal holidays.  For example, August 7 is recognized as Purple Heart Day.  April 16 is recognized as Mother Joseph Day, and September 4 is recognized as Marcus Whitman Day.

Summary of  Bill:

April 20 is recognized as a Washington State Day of Peace, but is not considered a legal holiday for any purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Youthful constituents of Representative Simpson first proposed the idea of a state day of peace.  These children created a web site and participated in a letter writing campaign to promote the idea.  A day of peace was declared by the governor for one year, but this would make it every year.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Simpson, prime sponsor.