SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5134
As of January 14, 2025
Title: An act relating to requiring public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.
Brief Description: Requiring public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.
Sponsors: Senators McCune, Trudeau, Chapman, Lovick and Nobles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/14/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires, instead of encourages, public schools to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of Chinese American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month in January of each year.
  • Requires school districts to incorporate instruction about the Chinese Exclusion Act and other relevant history events when a school district reviews or adopts its social studies curriculum, and use certain curriculum made available free of charge.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

State law designates January as Chinese American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month. This month is a time to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent to the history and heritage of Washington State.

 

Public schools are encouraged to designate time in January for appropriate activities in commemoration of the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.
Summary of Bill:

Public schools are required, instead of encouraged, to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of Chinese American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month in January of each year.

 

Beginning September 1, 2025, when a school district board of directors reviews or adopts its social studies curriculum, it must incorporate instruction about the Chinese Exclusion Act and other relevant historical events, such as the Tacoma Method. 

 

School districts must meet the requirements of this section by using a curriculum developed and made available free of charge by the Washington State Historical Society in collaboration with a Washington nonprofit organization that advances civic harmony from differing cultural backgrounds. School districts may modify this curriculum to incorporate regional elements or to incorporate into existing curricular materials.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 7, 2025.
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:  It's important to learn about what has happend to Chinese Americans in this state.  Chinese labor is an important part of state history including the building of railroads.  Many people do not know about the Tacoma Method because it has been intentionally erased from or softened in public discussion and school curriculum.  It is saddening that students do not learn this important history, and they need an opportunity to hear this history.  This bill will properly honor Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.  Some other states require instruction on this topic.

 

OTHER:  The Washington State Historical Society are able and willing to help, and it has some existing resources that could be used.  Federal and state mandates need funding.  Educators need to be part of curriculum development.  The timeline in the bill is too fast, and resources are needed to implement this bill well.  The State Board of Education is looking at graduation requirements, and there might be a way to include this topic in that work.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jim McCune, Prime Sponsor; Theresa Pan Hosley, The Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation; Gregory Youtz, The Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation; Larry Hosley, The Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation; Jani Hitchen; Gavin Ripka; Bettina Stanley.
OTHER: Jennifer Saunders, Washington State Historical Society; Nasue Nishida, Washington Education Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Rachel Li.