JANUARY 13, 2026 — A legislative effort to replace the Washington state flag has returned to the floor of the House of Representatives as the 2026 regular session begins, according to Washington State Legislature records.
House Bill 1938, which proposes the establishment of a formal committee to oversee a redesign of the century-old banner, was officially reintroduced and retained in its present status on January 12.
The move breathes new life into a proposal that stalled in committee during the 2025 session after failing to meet critical policy deadlines.
The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Representatives Strom Peterson, Julia Reed, and Greg Nance, seeks to address long-standing criticisms of the current design. Adopted in 1923, the flag features the state seal, a portrait of George Washington, on a dark green field.
Supporters of the bill argue that the image of the first president lacks a direct historical connection to the Pacific Northwest and that the design itself is an aesthetic failure. They point to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association that ranked Washington’s flag 47th out of 72 U.S. and Canadian subnational flags, largely due to the complexity of the seal and its poor visibility from a distance.
Under the provisions of HB 1938, a 16-member Washington State Flag Redesign Committee would be formed, comprising historians, designers, tribal representatives, and state officials. This body would be tasked with conducting a public engagement process to solicit new designs that reflect the state’s natural resources and cultural diversity.
However, the bill does not guarantee an immediate change; any design selected by the committee would eventually be put to a statewide referendum, allowing voters to choose between the new proposal and the existing 1923 flag.
