Technology

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5834: Concerning payment of expenses from the earnings of retirement system trust funds.

SB 5834 allows Washington state retirement systems (including public employees', teachers', law enforcement, and judicial systems) to pay certain protective expenses from their trust fund interest earnings. It specifically permits covering legal costs (like court fees and expert witnesses), medical exams for members, and administrative expenses (such as audits, cybersecurity, and fraud investigations) that directly protect the retirement funds. The bill requires that any recovered funds from fraud investigations or overpayment collections be returned to the trust funds. This change streamlines how systems manage operational costs tied to safeguarding retirement assets, without affecting benefit payments.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits cybersecurity expenses as allowable administrative costs for retirement systems, directly funding tech security measures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5886: Concerning forged digital likenesses.

Washington State's SB 5886 establishes a property right in an individual's name, voice, signature, photograph, and "forged digital likeness" that survives death. It defines a "forged digital likeness" as a digitally altered image or audio that misrepresents a person and could deceive others into believing it is genuine. The law requires written or oral consent for using these rights in commercial goods, advertising, or fundraising - applying to businesses, nonprofits, and organizations regardless of profit motive. This directly affects creators of digital content, advertisers, and fundraisers who might use AI-generated representations of living or deceased individuals (including those with commercial value to their likeness) without permission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects digital identity rights by requiring consent for commercial use of likenesses, enhancing data privacy and digital rights safeguards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5937: Concerning the use of a smart access system in a residential property subject to the residential landlord-tenant act.

SB 5937 defines key terms related to smart access systems in rental properties under Washington's landlord-tenant law. It specifically clarifies "authentication data" (data used for entry via smart systems) and "biometric identifier information" (like fingerprints or facial scans) to ensure transparency. The bill directly affects landlords who use smart access systems, requiring them to handle biometric data according to these defined terms. This is a definitional amendment, not a new policy, to align existing law with modern access technologies. It does not impose new requirements but establishes clear language for how such systems are regulated.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDefines biometric data handling standards for smart access systems, requiring transparency in residential landlord-tenant contexts, aligning with data privacy protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1833: Creating an artificial intelligence grant program.

House Bill 1833 establishes the Spark Act Grant Program in Washington state, designed to support startups, research institutions, and companies developing innovative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The Department of Commerce will administer these grants, which will be funded through a dedicated account receiving legislative appropriations, private donations, and federal funds. Grants will be awarded annually, prioritizing applicants committed to ethical AI use, risk analysis, small businesses, and projects with statewide impact such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity, or healthcare advancements. Eligible applicants must propose technology that will be shared with and provide a benefit to the state, with the program's progress and impact reported biennially.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget funds via legislative appropriations to establish AI grant program, advancing fiscal support for innovation through dedicated funding mechanisms.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes grant program funding AI startups and research, prioritizing ethical development. Directly advances AI technology through financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2303: Prohibiting employers from microchipping employees.

HB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits forced employee microchipping, protecting workers' bodily autonomy and privacy rights in the workplace, aligning with labor rights protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employer microchipping, protecting employee data privacy by restricting unauthorized data storage in subcutaneous devices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2606: Concerning performance measures, duties, and reporting requirements for the office of privacy and data protection.

HB 2606 creates an Office of Privacy and Data Protection within Washington State's government to centralize data privacy oversight. It requires the office to conduct annual privacy reviews and training for state agencies, develop privacy best practices, coordinate data protection efforts (including for AI projects), and serve as a resource for local governments and the public on data privacy. The bill mandates that the office submit detailed performance reports to the legislature every four years, tracking metrics like training participation, public contacts, privacy assessments completed, and coordination with privacy experts. These reports must demonstrate progress on improving privacy policies and practices across state agencies and local governments.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates Office of Privacy and Data Protection with mandates for oversight, best practices, and AI coordination, strengthening data privacy protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1503: Furthering digital equity and opportunity in Washington state.

HB 1503 aims to further digital equity and opportunity for all residents in Washington state, particularly focusing on underserved populations. The bill intends to broaden access to the internet, appropriate devices, and digital skills by expanding state assistance and support programs. It clarifies the collaboration between the Department of Commerce, responsible for broadband infrastructure, and the Office of Equity, which focuses on providing digital devices and services to individuals. Additionally, the bill updates definitions for terms like "broadband," "digital equity," and "low-income" households to enhance these efforts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands internet access, digital devices, and skills training for underserved populations, directly advancing digital equity per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 5486: Concerning open motion picture captioning in motion picture theaters.

SB 5486, also known as the John Waldo Act, requires motion picture theaters in Washington state to provide open captioning for certain film screenings. Theater companies operating five or more locations must offer a minimum number of open captioning screenings per week, including prime times, for films distributed with open captions and if they have the necessary technology. Smaller theater companies with four or fewer locations must either provide an open captioning screening within eight days of a request or offer them consistently. Theaters must advertise these screenings using an "OC" symbol, and the law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates theaters to implement captioning technology for accessibility, advancing digital inclusion through required tech adoption in public venues.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1483: Supporting the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner.

HB 1483, also known as the "right to repair" bill, requires manufacturers of certain digital electronic products to make parts, tools, and repair documentation available to independent repair providers and product owners. This applies to consumer electronics like computers, cell phones, and appliances, aiming to increase access to affordable repair options for Washington residents. Manufacturers must offer these resources on fair and reasonable terms, with documentation and digital tools generally provided free of charge. The bill supports a competitive repair market and seeks to extend the useful life of products for consumers across the state. This legislation will become effective on July 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires manufacturers to provide repair resources for digital electronics, enabling consumer access and reducing manufacturer control over repairs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Washington · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 5004: Updating emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons.

SB 5004 mandates that Washington public school districts update their emergency response systems in collaboration with local law enforcement and public safety agencies. These systems must utilize evolving technology to expedite emergency responses, offering options like panic or alert buttons, live video or audio feeds, remote door access, or live interactive two-way communication. School districts are required to submit progress reports on their systems to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction by October 1, 2025, which will then compile and report this information to the legislature by December 1, 2025. This act, also known as Alyssa's law, applies to charter and state-tribal education compact schools.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates use of evolving technology (panic buttons, live feeds) in school safety systems, advancing technology application for emergency response.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology