HR 4604

In Committee

House

Lunar New Year

Celebrating Lunar New Year.

Introduced (completed)
2
Committee (current stage)
3
Floor Vote (not started)
4
Opposite Chamber (not started)
5
Governor (not started)
6
Signed (not started)

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?

Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
Signed: The bill has been signed into law.

Introduced: January 27, 2025

Last Action: January 28, 2025

Status: H Adopted

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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.

People & CommunitiesPeople-leaningCorporate & Wealthy Interests

This resolution formally recognizes and celebrates Lunar New Year in Washington State, honoring the cultural traditions, history, and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. It emphasizes themes of resilience, renewal, and unity, and builds on the 2024 law that made Lunar New Year a state-recognized holiday.

Formally recognizes and celebrates Lunar New Year as a significant cultural event in Washington State.
Designates 2025 as the Year of the Snake, highlighting themes of transformation, renewal, and prosperity.
Acknowledges the historical trauma and discrimination faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities—including the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese American internment.
Affirms support for the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to Washington’s cultural, economic, and social life.
Reaffirms the state’s commitment to inclusion and equity, referencing the 2024 law that established Lunar New Year as a state-recognized holiday.

Who is affected

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities — Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities are formally recognized and celebrated for their cultural contributions, historical resilience, and ongoing role in shaping Washington's identity.
State and local government agencies — State government agencies and public institutions may be encouraged to acknowledge Lunar New Year through events, communications, or educational programming, though no new mandates are created by this resolution.
Students and educators — Students and educators benefit from increased visibility of diverse cultural traditions in public schools and universities, supporting inclusive curricula and school events.
General public residents — General public residents gain greater awareness of Lunar New Year traditions and the history and experiences of AANHPI communities.

Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 20, 2026, 2:54 AM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (5)

Formal state recognition of Lunar New Year affirms the dignity, cultural identity, and equal standing of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, countering historical erasure and marginalization. This symbolic affirmation supports psychological well-being, social inclusion, and belonging—especially for youth and elders who have experienced discrimination.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Preamble, 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th WHEREAS clauses; Resolving clauses
By affirming AANHPI history—including trauma (e.g., Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese American internment) and contributions—the resolution supports inclusive curriculum development and culturally responsive teaching in K–12 and higher education, fostering empathy and accurate historical understanding among all students.
EducationPeopleRef: 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th WHEREAS clauses; Resolving clauses
Public recognition of Lunar New Year and AANHPI resilience helps counter xenophobic narratives and reduces stigma, potentially mitigating hate-driven violence and harassment targeting AANHPI individuals—a group experiencing disproportionate rates of bias-motivated incidents in Washington.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: 1st, 8th, 12th, 13th WHEREAS clauses; Resolving clauses
The resolution strengthens the state’s commitment to equity and inclusion by building on the 2024 law recognizing Lunar New Year as a state holiday, reinforcing that cultural rights and communal celebration are part of civic life—supporting freedom of expression and religious/cultural practice.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: 2nd, 4th, 15th WHEREAS clauses; Resolving clauses
While not mandating employer action, the resolution encourages public institutions and businesses to acknowledge Lunar New Year through inclusive workplace or school events, potentially supporting AANHPI-owned businesses (e.g., restaurants, cultural vendors) and fostering more inclusive hiring and community engagement practices.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: 1st, 7th, 9th, 11th WHEREAS clauses; Resolving clauses

Who Is Most Affected

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communitiesPositive Impact
AANHPI individuals and families gain direct symbolic affirmation of their identity, history, and contributions—reducing feelings of exclusion and supporting intergenerational pride and mental health. This is especially meaningful for youth and elders who have experienced discrimination or intergenerational trauma.
State and local government agenciesMixed Impact
State and local agencies (e.g., schools, parks, cultural offices) gain authority and encouragement to host or promote Lunar New Year events, but are not required to spend new funds—no fiscal mandate. This supports existing equity initiatives without new costs.
Students and educatorsPositive Impact
Students benefit from more inclusive curricula and school events; educators gain resources and legitimacy to teach AANHPI history and traditions. However, impact depends on district-level implementation and may be uneven across regions.
General public residentsPositive Impact
The general public gains greater visibility and education about AANHPI cultures and history, which can reduce prejudice and build cross-cultural empathy—especially when paired with school or media outreach. However, the resolution itself does not directly change daily life for most residents.
AANHPI small businessesMixed Impact
AANHPI small businesses (e.g., restaurants, gift shops, cultural performers) may benefit from increased visibility and participation in public events, but the resolution does not provide direct funding or procurement preferences.

HR 4604

AI Analysis

Pro/Con Analysis

Potential Benefits (5)

Who Is Most Affected

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