Olympia – Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill to establish a committee to oversee the redesign of the Washington state flag.

House Bill 1938, sponsored by Representatives Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Julia Reed (D-Seattle) and Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), aims to create a flag that the lawmakers believe “better reflects Washington’s unique identity and diverse population.”

Washington’s current state flag features a detailed portrait of George Washington on a dark green field.

Supporters of a new design say our flag, because of the portrait, is overly complex, difficult to reproduce, and does not effectively represent the state’s distinct character.

The bill proposes the formation of a Washington State Flag Redesign Committee, which would include members from the Washington State Arts Commission, state legislators, historians, designers, cultural leaders, tribal representatives, and citizens from distinct regions of the state.

The process would include public engagement by reaching out to schools, community organizations, tribes, public forums, and online surveys.

If House Bill 1938 is enacted, the final design would be selected by the committee and presented to voters in a statewide referendum, with a goal of adopting a new design by July 1, 2028.