Wash. Rev. Code » Title 27 · Chapter 27.44
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 27.44.030 (2026)

Intent

✓ current as of May 2026
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The legislature hereby declares that:
(1) Native Indian burial grounds and historic graves are acknowledged to be a finite, irreplaceable, and nonrenewable cultural resource, and are an intrinsic part of the cultural heritage of the people of Washington. The legislature recognizes the value and importance of respecting all graves, and the spiritual significance of such sites to the people of this state;
(2) There have been reports and incidents of deliberate interference with native Indian and historic graves for profit-making motives;
(3) There has been careless indifference in cases of accidental disturbance of sites, graves, and burial grounds;
(4) Indian burial sites, cairns, glyptic markings, and historic graves located on public and private land are to be protected and it is therefore the legislature's intent to encourage voluntary reporting and respectful handling in cases of accidental disturbance and provide enhanced penalties for deliberate desecration.
[ 1989 c 44 s 1.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1997–2002 · leading case: Lummi Nation v. Golder Assocs., Inc., 236 F. Supp. 2d 1183 (W.D. Wash. 2002).
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Lummi Nation v. Golder Assocs., Inc., 236 F. Supp. 2d 1183 (W.D. Wash. 2002). “RCW 27.44.030. In an apparent desire to add teeth to existing prohibitions, the legislature declared it a felony to “knowingly remove! ], mutilate! ], deface! ], injure! ], or destroy! ] any cairn or grave of any native Indian.”
Swinomish Indian Tribal Cmty. v. Island Cnty., 942 P.2d 1034 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 4× “The Legislature’s intent in adopting IGRA is set forth in RCW 27.44.030, as follows: The legislature hereby declares that: (1) Native Indian burial grounds and historic graves are acknowledged to be a finite, irreplaceable, and nonrenewable cultural resource, and are an…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 27.44.030(3) — 1 case
Swinomish Indian Tribal Cmty. v. Island Cnty., 942 P.2d 1034 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “The Legislature’s intent in adopting IGRA is set forth in RCW 27.44.030, as follows: The legislature hereby declares that: (1) Native Indian burial grounds and historic graves are acknowledged to be a finite, irreplaceable, and nonrenewable cultural resource, and are an…”
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