Senate advances and passes bill recognizing Wilkinson sandstone as state sandstone
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Summary
Senate Bill 5489 was advanced to third reading under suspension of rules and passed unanimously. Sponsor Senator Fortunato described a 1927 claim by the city of Wilkinson for $56,718.50 and said the bill recognizes Wilkinson sandstone and the local quarry's historical contribution.
The Washington State Senate on Feb. 13, 2026, advanced and passed Senate Bill 5489, a measure recognizing Wilkinson sandstone as the state sandstone.
Senator Fortunato moved to suspend the rules to advance the bill to third reading and place it on final passage; the motion carried by unanimous consent ('hearing no objection'). On third reading, Fortunato recounted the bill's backstory: the city of Wilkinson discovered a 1927 letter from Mayor Ellis Robert to the state treasurer requesting $56,718.50 and a contract noting a 5% late-payment term. Fortunato said the city had sought confirmation of payment and that, lacking proof, the city had threatened to repossess sandstone from buildings that originated from the Wilkinson Quarry. The sponsor presented the current bill as a compromise to recognize the city and its sandstone and asked colleagues to support final passage.
The secretary called the roll for final passage. Senators responded in the affirmative across the roll call; the secretary reported 48 'yay' and 0 'nay'. Having received a constitutional majority, the president declared Senate Bill 5489 passed. The title of the bill will be the title of the act.
The measure as discussed on the floor is a symbolic recognition of the quarry and its sandstone and does not, in the floor remarks, attach an appropriation. The Senate took no separate action on monetary claims during the session.
