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Committee hears bill to replace 'alien' with 'noncitizen' in state law

State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee · February 20, 2026

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Summary

House Bill 2632 would substitute the term 'noncitizen' for 'alien' across state code, except where federal law or funding requires the federal term; proponents called it a dignity and clarity measure, opponents warned of possible conflicts with federal definitions.

Members heard House Bill 2632, which directs that, except where federal law or funding mandates the word 'alien,' Washington statutes should use 'noncitizen' when describing people who are not U.S. citizens or nationals. Greg Vogel, committee staff, said the change is limited to state and local statutes enacted after July 1, 2026 and does not alter substantive legal standards that rely on federal definitions.

Supporters described the proposal as statutory maintenance that removes dehumanizing language. Nicholas Mejia and Elizabeth Fitzgerald (co‑chairs of the undocumented communities committee) and advocates such as Andres Munoz and Em Choch Dorothy White said the word 'alien' carries racist and demeaning connotations and that switching to 'noncitizen' aligns Washington with neighboring states.

Opponents cautioned not to create conflicts with federal law or to introduce ambiguity where federal definitions are relevant; Senators asked staff to clarify where the term must remain 'alien' for federal compliance. Staff committed to providing follow‑up and the hearing concluded with recorded sign‑in tallies for the record.