SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5000
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections, January 17, 2025
Title: An act relating to the state nickname.
Brief Description: Adopting the evergreen state as the state nickname.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, J., Chapman, Christian, Cleveland, Dozier, Fortunato, Frame, Gildon, Krishnadasan, McCune, Nobles, Salda?a, Valdez, Wagoner and Warnick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: 1/14/25, 1/17/25 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Designates "The Evergreen State" as the official nickname of the state of Washington.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Valdez, Chair; Krishnadasan, Vice Chair; Wilson, J., Ranking Member; Hasegawa, Kauffman, Riccelli and Short.
Staff:

Danielle Creech (786-7412)
Background:

On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state to enter the Union. During that time, Charles Tallmadge (C.T.) Conover, a pioneer Seattle realtor, newspaper columnist, and historian, nicknamed Washington "The Evergreen State." Conover, who was also instrumental in retaining the name of Mount Rainier, gave Washington this nickname for its abundant evergreen forests.?

?

Today, "The Evergreen State" is generally accepted as reference to the state of Washington. The nickname was used by Governor John H. McGraw in his 1893 inaugural address, and has been considered by the Legislature for official designation but has never been adopted. The nickname can be seen engraved on Washington State license plates, on memorabilia sold at souvenir shops, and inscribed on the April 2007 United States memorial quarter honoring Washington State. While many state symbols, including the state flag, state flower, and state seal have officially been designated as such by the Legislature, no official state nickname has been designated.
Summary of Bill:

"The Evergreen State" is designated as the official nickname of the state of Washington.?
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: For 132 years we have somewhat passed along the nickname "The Evergreen State". It was developed to build excitement and interest to come to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It seems to have stuck through all these years. In fact, even today, it was mentioned in the Governor's address. I couldn't think of a better way to start than to come together on a truly bipartisan bill and legitimize this nickname.?
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Wilson, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.