BILL · 2021–22 SESSION

SB 5161: Teaching tribal history, etc

Teaching Washington's tribal history, culture, and government.

Summary

Requires that all school districts incorporate curricula about the history, culture, and government of the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes into social studies curricula by September 1, 2023.
Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and utilize a system to monitor and report on district implementation and compliance of tribal curricula requirements.
Establishes that all administrator preparation programs integrate information on tribal culture, history, and government into existing programs or courses.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5161), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor

AN ACT Relating to the teaching of Washington's tribal history, culture, and government;

No recorded floor votes.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5161 (2025–26) Transportation budget · Enacted with partial veto · Chapter 416, Laws of 2025
SB 5161 (2023–24) Fur farming · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5161 (2019–20) Cert. child safety policy · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5161 (2017–18) Theater licenses · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5161 (2015–16) East Asian med practitioners · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5161 (2013–14) Gold star license plates · Enacted · Chapter 137, Laws of 2013
SB 5161 (2011–12) Public corrections entities · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5161 (2009–10) Tidal and wave energy · Did not pass · died in committee