Washington could be first state to recognize Lunar New Year as paid legal holiday

SEATTLE (KOMO) — Lunar New Year could become a Washington state legal holiday if a new bill gets passed.

According to SubstituteHouse Bill 1516, the day of Lunar New Year is on the "date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene."

According to the House Bill Anaylsis, the Saturday before the beginning of the Lunar New Year would become the designated day for the state legal holiday.

TheSeattle Krakenhas taken the initiative to raise awareness for many special occasions and communities throughout Seattle, like wearingspecial warmups for Black History Month in 2022. The team did so again on Saturday Jan. 21 to honor the Lunar New Year.

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, so Monyee Chau from Seattle's Chinatown-International District created a special warmup jersey that reflects this special time.

It's such an honor to be part of the first Lunar New Year event for the Kraken," Chau said Saturday. "It's such a deep cultural practice that we've had for so long, our calendar goes with the moon and so it's a Lunar calendar.

Ajoyful celebration for the Lunar New Yearwas held in Seattle's Chinatown-International District. There were Lion Dances, a Martial Arts demo and live music. Families strolled S. King Street and gathered near the main stage at Hing Hay Park. The event was organized by the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area.

If the bill is passed, it would make Washington state the first in the U.S. to recognize the Lunar New Year as a paid legal holiday.

As of Saturday, Feb. 18, the bill has been introduced to the house and is currently in committee.