SB 5560
In CommitteeSenate
State clam
Designating the Pacific razor clam as the state clam.
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 designates the Pacific razor clam (*Siliqua patula*) as Washington’s state clam, recognizing its deep cultural, recreational, and economic significance — especially along the state’s Pacific coast. It includes background on how razor clamming supports families, tourism, and sustainable food harvesting.
- Formally designates the Pacific razor clam (*Siliqua patula*) as the official state clam of Washington.
- Includes a legislative finding section that highlights the clam’s ecological, cultural, and economic importance — including its role in recreation, food, coastal identity, and the local economy.
- Notes the clam’s unique traits: mobility, appearance, taste, and sustainability of current harvest practices.
- Adds a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW (the state’s official symbols law) to codify the designation.
- Emphasizes that razor clam harvesting supports hundreds of thousands of participants annually and contributes to coastal economic activity.
Who is affected
- Coastal recreational and subsistence clam diggers — Coastal communities and residents who participate in or rely on razor clam harvesting for recreation, food, or small-scale commercial income — especially those on the Pacific coast of Washington.
- Coastal small businesses and tourism operators — Local businesses near popular clamming beaches (e.g., restaurants, gear shops, hotels) that benefit from the tourism and economic activity generated by the annual razor clam harvest.
- Coastal Indigenous communities — Tribal nations and Indigenous communities with historical and cultural ties to razor clam harvesting as part of traditional food systems and practices.
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Department of Health (DOH) — State agencies responsible for managing shellfish resources, including monitoring for toxins and ensuring sustainable harvests.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (2)
The legislative finding elevates public awareness of local ecology, Indigenous heritage, and sustainable food systems — supporting informal environmental education through cultural recognition and school outreach opportunities.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Finding), lines 3–5The formal designation reinforces the cultural and economic value of Pacific coast tourism, potentially strengthening local marketing efforts and encouraging continued investment in small businesses that depend on seasonal clamming activity.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Finding), lines 6–8
Potential Concerns (3)
The bill may increase demand on local government resources (e.g., public safety, beach maintenance, emergency response) during peak razor clam season due to heightened tourism and foot traffic, but provides no new funding to support those added burdens.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1 (Finding), line 12The bill’s symbolic designation does not address known public safety risks associated with mass clamming events — such as rip currents, tide-related entrapment, or overharvesting — and may inadvertently increase risk by drawing more participants without improving safety infrastructure or education.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1 (Finding), line 10While the bill touts “sustainable harvests,” it does not include any binding conservation measures or funding for habitat protection, potentially underestimating cumulative impacts of increased recreational pressure on beach ecosystems.
EnvironmentRef: Sec. 1 (Finding), line 11
Who Is Most Affected
Coastal recreational and subsistence clam diggers gain symbolic recognition and potential morale boost; may benefit indirectly from increased tourism attention, but no direct economic or regulatory change is provided.
Small businesses and tourism operators may benefit from heightened visibility and continued public interest in the activity, but the bill does not guarantee increased foot traffic or provide direct financial support.
Indigenous communities gain symbolic acknowledgment of long-standing cultural ties to the resource, though the bill does not include language affirming treaty rights or co-management authority.
WDFW and DOH gain no new authority or funding, but the bill may help reinforce their existing public messaging around safety and sustainability during harvest seasons.