SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1204

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

State Government, March 29, 2017

Title: An act relating to requiring the display of the national league of families' POW/MIA flag on certain days.

Brief Description: Requiring the display of the national league of families' POW/MIA flag on certain days.

Sponsors: Representatives Young, McCaslin, Shea, Taylor and J. Walsh.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/17, 97-0.

Committee Activity: State Government: 3/17/17, 3/29/17 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires public entities to display the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag on Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Miloscia, Chair; Zeiger, Vice Chair; Hunt, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer and Pearson.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the National League of Families' Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag and designated it "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation."

All state agencies, institutions of higher education, counties, cities, and towns are required to display the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag along with the United States and Washington flags on the following days:

Summary of Bill: Public entities must display the POW/MIA flag on April 9th, Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and on December 7th, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This helps children remember the sacrifices of service members, and provides value to family members who have lost a relative. JROTC programs see this as an opportunity to expand their programs by raising awareness on these additional dates.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Jesse Young, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.