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SB 5625

Designating the Pacific geoduck as the state clam.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 12 co-sponsors

SB 5625 designates the Pacific geoduck as Washington’s official state clam, a symbolic designation codified in RCW 1.20 with no funding or regulatory changes.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5625

Summary of SB 5625 — Designating the Pacific geoduck as the state clam

Bill Details

  • Bill Number: SB 5625
  • Title: Designating the Pacific geoduck as the state clam
  • Introduced: January 31, 2025
  • Status: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (1:30 PM)
  • Legislative actions:
    • First reading and referral: 01/31/2025
    • Public hearing: 02/18/2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

SB 5625 would designate the Pacific geoduck as the official clam of the state of Washington. The bill adds a new section to chapter RCW 1.20 to codify this designation.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a new official state symbol: The Panopea generosa (Pacific geoduck) is designated as Washington’s official clam.
  • Legal language: The designation is enacted through a new section added to RCW chapter 1.20.
  • No other policy changes: The text provided does not authorize funding, regulatory changes, or programmatic requirements beyond the symbolic designation.

Who/What Is Affected

  • State of Washington and its government entities; primarily a symbolic designation recognizing the Pacific geoduck.
  • The Pacific geoduck (Panopea generosa) as a species associated with the state’s identity, culture, and potentially educational and promotional efforts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 31, 2025.
  • Referred to: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  • Next steps (typical path): If the committee approves, the bill would move to the Senate floor for consideration, then to the House (if applicable) and, ultimately, to the Governor for signature or veto. As of the latest actions, the bill is only at the public-hearing stage in committee.

Potential Implications and Considerations

  • Symbolic impact: Recognizes and promotes the Pacific geoduck as a state emblem, which could support educational materials, tourism branding, and cultural recognition.
  • No immediate regulatory or fiscal changes are specified in the bill text.
  • Future actions could include promotional campaigns, educational initiatives, or partnerships related to the species, but none are enumerated in SB 5625 itself.

Bottom Line

SB 5625 proposes a straightforward, symbolic designation of the Pacific geoduck as Washington’s official state clam, codified in RCW 1.20. The bill is currently under consideration in committee with a public hearing held on February 18, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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