Title 1 — Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

The fiscal biennium of the state shall commence on the first day of July in each odd-numbered year and end on the thirtieth day of June of the next succeeding odd-numbered year. The fiscal biennium of those cities and towns which utilize a biennial budget shall commence on the fi…

August 31st shall end the fiscal year of school districts and December 31st of all other taxing districts.[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 118 s 21; 1909 c 76 s 13; RRS s 9963.]Notes:Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 118: See note following RCW 28A.505.010.

The term "folio" when used as a measure for computing fees or compensation, shall be construed to mean one hundred words, counting every two figures necessarily used as a word. Any portion of a folio, when in the whole draft or paper there should not be a complete folio, and when…

(1) The following are state legal holidays:(a) Sunday;(b) The first day of January, commonly called New Year's Day;(c) The third Monday of January, celebrated as the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.;(d) The third Monday of February, to be known as Presidents' D…

The word "month" or "months," whenever the same occurs in the statutes of this state now in force, or in statutes hereinafter enacted, or in any contract made in this state, shall be taken and construed to mean "calendar months."[1891 c 23 s 1, part; Code 1881 s 759; 1877 p 333 s…

Whenever any term indicating an officer is used it shall be construed, when required, to mean any person authorized by law to discharge the duties of such officer.[Code 1881 s 755; 1854 p 221 s 501; RRS s 147.]Notes:Reviser's note: This section was formerly a part of RCW 42.04.01…

(1) The term "person" may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual.(2) Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms "association," "un…

The legislature recognizes that on February 19, 1942, the President of the United States issued Executive Order 9066 which authorized military rule over civilian law and lives; that Executive Order 9066 led to the World War II evacuation and internment of more than one hundred tw…

For the purposes of this code, with the exception of chapter 26.04 RCW, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registere…

The official flag of the state of Washington shall be of dark green silk or bunting and shall bear in its center a reproduction of the seal of the state of Washington embroidered, printed, painted or stamped thereon. The edges of the flag may, or may not, be fringed. If a fringe …

The flag of the United States and the flag of the state shall be prominently installed, displayed and maintained in schools, court rooms and state buildings.[ 1955 c 88 s 1.]Notes:Crimes relating to flags: Chapter 9.86 RCW.Flag exercises in schools: RCW 28A.230.140.

(1) Each public entity must display the national league of families' POW/MIA flag along with the flag of the United States and the flag of the state upon or near the principal building of the public entity on the following days: (a) Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on Apri…

That certain evergreen tree known and described as the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is hereby designated as the official tree of the state of Washington.[ 1947 c 191 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 10964-120.]

Agropyron spicatum, the species of natural grass commonly called "bluebunch wheatgrass," is hereby designated as the official grass of the state of Washington.[ 1989 c 354 s 62.]Notes:Severability—1989 c 354: See note following RCW 15.36.012.

The native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, is hereby designated as the official flower of the state of Washington.[ 1959 c 29 s 1; 1949 c 18 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 10964-200.]

The official fruit of the state of Washington is the apple.[ 1989 c 354 s 63.]Notes:Severability—1989 c 354: See note following RCW 15.36.012.

The orca, Orcinus orca, is hereby designated as the official marine mammal of the state of Washington.[ 2005 c 51 s 2.]Notes:Finding—Intent—2005 c 51: "The legislature finds that many people visit Washington state to watch orcas, the orca is a significant symbol for the Native Am…

The Olympic marmot, Marmota olympus, is hereby designated as the official endemic mammal of the state of Washington.[ 2009 c 464 s 2.]Notes:Finding—Intent—2009 c 464: "The legislature finds that the Olympic marmot, the only endemic mammal in Washington state, should be designated…

The willow goldfinch is hereby designated as the official bird of the state of Washington.[ 1951 c 249 s 1.]

The Suciasaurus rex is hereby designated as the official dinosaur of the state of Washington.[ 2023 c 330 s 2.]Notes:Finding—2023 c 330: "The legislature finds that the Suciasaurus rex, the first and, as of July 23, 2023, only dinosaur discovered in Washington state, should be de…

The Columbian mammoth of North America, Mammuthus columbi, is hereby designated as the official fossil of the state of Washington.[ 1998 c 129 s 2.]Notes:Legislative recognition—1998 c 129: "The legislature recognizes that the large, hairy prehistoric elephants of the extinct gen…

The species of trout commonly called "steelhead trout" (Salmo gairdnerii) is hereby designated as the official fish of the state of Washington.[ 1969 c 36 s 1.]

The common green darner dragonfly, Anax junius drury, is hereby designated as the official insect of the state of Washington.[ 1997 c 6 s 2.]Notes:Finding—1997 c 6: "The legislature finds that the common green darner dragonfly, Anax junius drury, can be found throughout Washingto…

No county, city or other political subdivision of this state shall adopt any provision for the observance of daylight saving time, or any time other than standard, except pursuant to a gubernatorial proclamation declaring an emergency during a period of national war and authorizi…

At two o'clock antemeridian Pacific Standard Time of the second Sunday in March each year the time of the state of Washington shall be advanced one hour, and at two o'clock antemeridian Pacific Standard Time of the first Sunday in November in each year the time of the state of Wa…

Under federal law as it exists on July 28, 2019, states are not permitted to observe daylight saving time year-round. If the United States congress amends federal law to authorize states to observe daylight saving time year-round, the legislature intends that Washington state mak…

(1) The time of the state of Washington and all of its political subdivisions is Pacific daylight time throughout the calendar year, as determined by reference to coordinated universal time.(2) Pacific daylight time within the state is that of the fifth zone designated by federal…

The second Wednesday in April of each year is designated as Arbor day.[ 1957 c 220 s 1.]

The song, music and lyrics, "Washington My Home", composed by Helen Davis, is hereby designated as the official song of the state of Washington.[ 1959 c 281 s 1.]

All proceeds from the sale of the official song of the state as designated in RCW 1.20.070 shall be placed in the general fund.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 59 s 1; 1959 c 281 s 2.]Notes:Effective date—1973 1st ex.s. c 59: See note following RCW 43.79.420.

The legislature recognizes that winter recreational activities are part of the folk tradition of the state of Washington. Winter recreational activities serve to turn the darkness of a northwest winter into the dawn of renewed vitality. As the winter snows dissolve into the torre…

The square dance is designated as the official dance of the state of Washington.[ 1979 ex.s. c 10 s 1.]

The seal of the state of Washington shall be, a seal encircled with the words: "The Seal of the State of Washington," with the vignette of General George Washington as the central figure, and beneath the vignette the figures "1889" and shall be composed as appears in the illustra…

Petrified wood is hereby designated as the official gem of the state of Washington.[ 1975 c 8 s 1.]

The legislature finds that:(1) Diverse ethnic and linguistic communities have contributed to the social and economic prosperity of Washington state;(2) It is the welcomed responsibility and opportunity of this state to respect and facilitate the efforts of all cultural, ethnic, a…

The Washington state tartan is hereby designated. The tartan shall have a pattern of colors, called a sett, that is made up of a green background with stripes of blue, white, yellow, red, and black. The secretary of state shall register the tartan with the Scottish Register of Ta…

The Washington park arboretum is hereby designated as an official arboretum of the state of Washington.[ 1995 c 82 s 2.]Notes:Findings—1995 c 82: "The legislature finds that the arboreta in this state act as living museums devoted to the display and conservation of woody plant sp…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2632.SL) ***(1) All state and local government statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents enacted after July 1, 2002, are required to use the term "Asian" when referring to persons of Asian descent. The use of the term "Oriental"…

The Walla Walla sweet onion is designated as the official vegetable of the state of Washington.[ 2007 c 137 s 1.]

The Pacific chorus frog, Pseudacris regilla, is hereby designated as the official amphibian of the state of Washington.[ 2007 c 224 s 1.]

The Lady Washington is hereby designated as the official ship of the state of Washington.[ 2007 c 351 s 1.]

Palouse falls is hereby designated as the official waterfall of the state of Washington.[ 2014 c 41 s 2.]Notes:Findings—2014 c 41: "(1) The tourist industry is a vital part of the state's economy. Palouse falls has visitors numbering averaging over eighty thousand to one hundred …

The Ostrea lurida is hereby designated the official oyster of the state of Washington. This native oyster species plays an important role in the history and culture that surrounds shellfish in Washington state and along the west coast of the United States. Some of the common and …

Washington state is designated a purple heart state that honors people who have received the purple heart award.[ 2021 c 213 s 2.]Notes:Findings—2021 c 213: "(1) Washington state is grateful to be home to multitudes of United States armed forces members, veterans, and their famil…

The sport of pickleball is hereby designated as the official sport of the state of Washington.[ 2022 c 188 s 2.]Notes:Finding—Intent—2022 c 188: "The legislature recognizes that the sport of pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island by Joel McFee Pritchard, who went on …

On the day recognized as water safety day under RCW 1.16.050, individuals who work directly with children, from infants to age 18, in their profession are encouraged to provide training, educational materials, and other resources to the children and their families around water sa…

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) forests are hereby designated to be the official marine forest of the state of Washington.[ 2025 c 45 s 2.]Notes:Findings—2025 c 45: "(1) As the foundational species of the evergreen state's underwater forests, bull kelp is vital to Washington's …

There is established a decoration of the state medal of merit with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances for award by the governor, in the name of the state, to any person who has been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the p…

There is created the state medal of merit committee for nominating candidates for the award of the state medal of merit. The committee membership consists of the governor, president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, and the chief justice of the supreme court…

The governor may delegate the awarding of the state medal of merit to the president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, or the chief justice of the supreme court.[ 1986 c 92 s 3.]