HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESB 5063
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House - Amended:
April 5, 2007
Title: An act relating to removing gender references.
Brief Description: Removing gender references.
Sponsors: By Senators Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Rockefeller, Kline, Schoesler, Keiser, Parlette, Kauffman, Fraser and Shin.
Brief History:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 3/16/07, 3/20/07 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 4/5/07, 78-20.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill (As Amended by House) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Green, McDermott and Ormsby.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member and Kretz.
Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).
Background:
Since 1983, state law has required that all statutes be written in gender-neutral terms unless
the law in question is intentionally gender specific.
Summary of Amended Bill:
Technical changes are made throughout the statute to broaden the use of gender neutral
terms. For example, references to "firemen" are changed to "firefighters" and references to
"policemen" are changed to "police officers."
The Code Reviser must recommend legislation correcting gender-specific references in all
existing statutes by December 1, 2007, and advise the Legislature of gender-specific language
changes that would result in substantive changes to law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 21, 2007.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The changes recommended in the bill reflect the make-up of the state's public
safety officers. Many of the state's female firefighters and police officers who were some of
the first women in their respective fields remember the terms "firemen" and "policemen"
being used as taunts against them by male firefighters and police officers to indicate that
these women did not belong. The terminology changes made in the bill are more inclusive
rather than exclusive, and are more representative of the people serving in these positions
today. The change is a great sign of respect for these women in Washington.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Kohl-Welles, prime sponsor.