SB 5489
In CommitteeSenate
State sandstone
Establishing a state sandstone.
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.
AI Analysis
This bill officially names Wilkeson sandstone as Washington’s state sandstone, acknowledging its historical and geological importance. It adds this designation to the state’s official symbols code.
- Designates Wilkeson sandstone as the official state sandstone of Washington.
- Adds the designation to chapter 1.20 RCW, the Revised Code of Washington section that lists official state symbols.
- Formally recognizes the stone’s historical and geological significance to the state, especially its use in early buildings in Pierce County.
Who is affected
- State government and public institutions — The state will formally recognize Wilkeson sandstone as its official stone, which may influence state branding, educational materials, and public displays (e.g., in government buildings or educational settings).
- Geological and educational communities in Pierce County — Local quarries, geologists, educators, and historians in the Wilkeson area may benefit from increased visibility and potential economic or educational opportunities tied to the designation.
- Public school students and educators — Students and teachers may use this designation in curriculum about Washington state symbols and geology.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
Formal recognition of Wilkeson sandstone as the state sandstone enhances civic education by providing a concrete, locally significant example for teaching Washington geology, history, and state symbols—particularly in Pierce County schools.
EducationRef: Sec. 1The designation may support local heritage tourism and public outreach efforts by Pierce County and the City of Wilkeson, potentially aiding small-scale economic development through educational signage, museum exhibits, and geotourism initiatives.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1While not directly related to safety, the bill’s acknowledgment of locally quarried stone used in historic public infrastructure (e.g., early Pierce County courthouses and bridges) reinforces awareness of regional material heritage, which can inform preservation and safety standards for aging infrastructure.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1
Who Is Most Affected
State agencies (e.g., ESD, OSPI) may update educational materials to include Wilkeson sandstone, but no new costs or mandates are imposed.
Local quarries, educators, and historians in Wilkeson may gain increased visibility and opportunities for educational programming or heritage tourism, though direct economic benefits are likely modest and non-binding.
Students and teachers gain a standardized, state-endorsed reference point for learning about Washington’s geology and history, enriching K–12 and higher education curricula.