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Bill

HJR 4208

Removing gendered terms from the Constitution.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Davis and 7 co-sponsors

Proposes creating two autonomous Washington regions (Puget Sound and Columbia) with separate regional legislatures, governors, and shared asset/liability ownership.

Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
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Bill Summary · HJR 4208

Summary: House Joint Resolution 4208 (HJR 4208) — Concerning autonomous regions in Washington state

Overview

  • Type: Joint Resolution proposing a constitutional amendment
  • Purpose: To create two autonomous regions within Washington state—Puget Sound region and Columbia region—and to establish regional governance structures, asset ownership, and liability allocation.
  • Status: First reading, referred to the State Government & Tribal Relations committee
  • Introduced: April 24, 2025

What the bill would do

  • Amend the Washington Constitution by adding a new article that:
    • Divides the state into two regions: Puget Sound and Columbia.
    • Establishes separate regional governments for each region (regional senate and regional house of representatives; regional governor).
    • Allocates ownership of regional assets and proportional liability sharing between regions.

Key provisions

Regions and capitals

  • Puget Sound region
    • Counties: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Whatcom
    • Regional capital: located in Thurston County unless the region selects a different location
  • Columbia region
    • Counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanagan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima
    • Regional capital: located in Grant County unless the region selects a different location

Regional governance

  • Each region has its own regional legislature (regional senate and regional house of representatives).
  • Each region has a regional governor.
  • Eligibility: regional legislators must be U.S. citizens and qualified voters in the district they represent.

Continuity protections

  • Upon adoption of the article:
    • Supreme Court or Superior Court judges may continue to serve to end of their term and through the next election.
    • Elected county/local officials may continue to serve to the next election.
    • Elected federal officials may continue to serve to the next election.

Assets, liabilities, and administration

  • Asset ownership: Puget Sound region owns assets located within its region; Columbia region owns assets within its region.
  • Liabilities: Each region to assume state liabilities in proportion to its population.

Constitutional and election process

  • The amendment is a single integrated plan; if treated as separate amendments, the joint resolution is void.
  • The Secretary of State must publish notice of the amendment at least four times in legal newspapers in the four weeks preceding the election.
  • The next general election would determine voter approval or rejection.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Next step if carried forward: Public vote at the next general election following enactment for approval or rejection of the constitutional amendment.
  • Status: Under initial committee consideration; no fiscal or implementation timeline defined in the text.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Governance: Establishes two autonomous regional governments with separate legislatures and executives, potentially altering state-wide political and fiscal dynamics.
  • Transition: Would require creation of regional constitutions and administrative frameworks; transition of assets, liabilities, and services between regions.
  • Legal/operational: Continuity clauses for existing judges and officials; interactions with continuing federal and state authorities would require careful legal planning.
  • Fiscal: Liability-sharing by population could affect budgeting and debt management decisions for each region.

Affected parties

  • Residents and voters in the Puget Sound and Columbia regions
  • Regional governments and their employees
  • State agencies, courts, and counties within the delineated borders

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and does not constitute legal interpretation. If enacted, significant constitutional and administrative changes would follow, subject to voter approval.

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

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