Renaming the Natural Resources Building as the Jennifer Belcher Building.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 6 co-sponsors

Renames the Natural Resources Building to Jennifer Belcher Building; DES will place the name, honoring Belcher's leadership in natural resources and environmental protection.

House Rules "X" file.

HCR 4402 — Summary

What the bill would do

Rename the state office building currently known as the Natural Resources Building (located at 1111 Washington Street SE) to the “Jennifer Belcher Building.”

Direct the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to place the new name on the building.

main purpose and intent

Honor Jennifer Belcher for her long service in Washington state government, her leadership on natural resources and land-use policy, and her role in advancing environmental protection and women’s leadership.

Affirm the Legislature’s authority to designate names for state facilities, using the established process that involves recommendations from the State Capitol Committee and DES, with guidance from the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee and adherence to established criteria.

Key provisions and changes

The Natural Resources Building shall be renamed the Jennifer Belcher Building.

DES is charged with placing the new name on the building.

No appropriation is required for this action (no fiscal appropriation attached to the renaming itself).

Background and rationale

Jennifer Belcher represented Washington’s 22nd Legislative District (1983–1992), chaired the Natural Resources Committee (1989–1992), and was a trailblazing figure in forest policy and habitat conservation as Washington’s first female Commissioner of Public Lands.

Her work is highlighted as foundational to land-use reform (Growth Management Act) and habitat conservation efforts.

The bill notes the formal process for renaming state facilities and the roles of the State Capitol Committee and DES, including advisory input from the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee.

Who or what would be affected

The building’s public identity would change from the Natural Resources Building to the Jennifer Belcher Building. -DES would handle signage and naming placement on the building.

Potential symbolic impact on visitors, state workers, and communities associated with Belcher’s legacy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Bill type: House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 4402).

Status: House Rules “X” file (indicating it is moving through the rules process for potential floor action).

Introduced: January 28, 2025.

First committee action: Referred to the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans committee; committee reports indicate support.

Historical context: Similar renaming proposals were previously introduced in 2023 (HCR 747.1) and have gone through the standard Capitol naming process in prior sessions.

Next steps (if advanced): Passage by both chambers and signature by the Governor would be required; final naming would follow the statutory process overseen by the State Capitol Committee and DES.

Financial note

No appropriation is requested or required for the renaming itself.

Notable context from the record

Public testimony in support emphasized Belcher’s environmental leadership and contributions to women’s advancement in government.

No opposing testimony was reported in the documents provided.

The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee and related statutory procedures are acknowledged as part of the naming process.