The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee convened on January 14, 2025, to discuss two significant pieces of legislation: House Bill 1017, which designates November 22 as Kimchi Day, and House Bill 1116, which recognizes Election Day as a legislatively recognized day.

The meeting began with a staff briefing on House Bill 1017. Desiree Omle from the Office of Program Research provided background on the bill, noting that Washington currently has 11 paid legal holidays and 20 legislatively recognized days. Kimchi, a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, is celebrated in South Korea and other states. The bill aims to honor the cultural significance of kimchi and its health benefits, with Representative My-Linh Ryu advocating for its passage. Ryu shared personal anecdotes about making kimchi with her family, emphasizing its importance in Korean culture and its historical role in food preservation.

Following the discussion on kimchi, the committee moved on to House Bill 1116, which seeks to designate Election Day as a recognized day. The bill aims to encourage educational programming related to democracy and voting, with the Secretary of State tasked with creating materials to support these initiatives. Representative Mena, the bill's prime sponsor, highlighted the importance of recognizing Election Day as a significant event in the democratic process, aiming to engage young voters and promote civic participation.

Several witnesses provided testimony in support of House Bill 1116. Educator Marcelino Ruiz emphasized the need for schools to celebrate Election Day, suggesting that making it a holiday would enhance students' understanding of the electoral process. Andrew Villeneuve from the Northwest Progressive Institute presented polling data indicating public support for making Election Day a holiday, arguing that it would improve voter turnout and civic engagement.

The committee also entertained questions regarding the potential for Election Day to become a full state holiday, with discussions about the implications of such a change in the context of Washington's mail-in voting system.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further consider both bills, reflecting a growing recognition of cultural celebrations and civic engagement in Washington State. The next steps for both pieces of legislation will be determined as the committee continues its deliberations.