Technology

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5014: Concerning election security.

Senate Bill 5014 enhances election security for Washington state's county election offices and their vendors. It requires county election offices to use the ".gov" domain for official communications and to partition their election-related IT networks from other county systems. The bill also mandates that counties implement 24/7 intrusion detection systems to monitor for malicious activity. Additionally, it expands the types of election equipment requiring state approval and strengthens requirements for counties and their vendors to immediately report security breaches or malicious activity to the Secretary of State and Attorney General. These new security measures are intended to be adopted by county election offices by July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates cybersecurity measures including intrusion detection, network partitioning, and state approval for election equipment to enhance election security.90% confidence

Tags Elections

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5423: Supporting the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner.

SB 5423 requires manufacturers of digital electronic products (like phones, computers, and smart appliances) to provide independent repair shops with necessary documentation, parts, and tools on "fair and reasonable terms." This directly affects consumers - especially those in rural areas or with lower incomes - who face limited repair access, and independent repair businesses competing with manufacturer shops. Key provisions mandate that manufacturers offer these resources at costs equivalent to those for authorized repair providers, without restricting their use. The goal is to make repairs more affordable, extend product lifespans, and support small businesses by increasing repair accessibility across Washington state.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates manufacturers provide repair resources for digital devices, advancing consumer digital rights and access to independent repairs - aligns with promoting digital equity and consumer protection.90% confidence

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5304: Expanding eligibility for the students experiencing homelessness and foster youth program to an accredited tribal college.

SB 5304 expands Washington's Students Experiencing Homelessness and Foster Youth Program to include accredited tribal colleges, previously limited to public four-year institutions. The bill requires participating tribal colleges and four-year schools to provide specific supports like laundry access, housing assistance, reduced-price meals, technology resources, and case management for eligible students. It directly affects students who experienced homelessness or were in foster care upon high school graduation, ensuring they can access these services at tribal colleges meeting accreditation standards. The program also mandates annual reporting on participation and program effectiveness to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for homeless/foster youth by including tribal colleges in support program, mandating essential resources (housing, meals, tech) to improve higher education success.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires housing assistance for homeless/foster youth students, directly addressing homelessness and expanding housing support through program funding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires participating institutions to provide technology resources as a mandated support for eligible students, directly advancing digital access and equity for underserved populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Homelessness

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1301: Concerning reducing fees and expenses for services for people confined in state facilities.

HB 1301 requires Washington state facilities to provide free communication services (including voice calls, video, and messaging) to people confined in state custody, eliminating fees for these services. It mandates that facilities maintain existing access to communication devices (like wall phones) and provide free tablets to incarcerated individuals. The bill prohibits facilities from charging fees or generating revenue from these services and explicitly states communication services cannot replace in-person visitation. It also requires transparency by making provider contracts and fee structures publicly available on facility websites and tablets. This law applies to both the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates fees for communication services in state facilities, promoting family connections and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates free internet-based communication services and tablets for incarcerated individuals, directly expanding their access to technology and internet services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1727: Concerning school library information and technology programs.

HB 1727 requires all Washington school districts to adopt policies by September 1, 2026, guaranteeing every K-12 student access to school library information and technology programs staffed by qualified teacher-librarians. The bill defines "teacher-librarian" as a certificated educator with a library media endorsement and mandates that programs support state learning standards, digital citizenship, and information literacy. Districts with fewer than 3,000 students may use non-certified staff temporarily if they’ve made reasonable efforts to hire certified librarians and partner with other districts or libraries. The legislation aims to address current gaps, as 60% of districts lack certified librarian staffing, disproportionately impacting low-income and students of color. It emphasizes programs must be school-based and align with educational technology integration and literacy goals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 library access with qualified staff, supporting information literacy and digital citizenship per state standards, expanding educational access and teacher-librarian roles.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates school districts to ensure student access to library tech programs with digital citizenship focus, promoting information literacy and equitable access - core support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Teachers

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1147: Supporting civic engagement for incarcerated and institutionalized individuals in state custody to promote inclusion and rehabilitation.

HB 1147 grants incarcerated individuals in Washington state prisons, residential habilitation centers, and state hospitals the right to civic engagement. It requires state agencies to facilitate activities like forming political advocacy groups, using facility spaces for meetings, participating in virtual forums with community groups, and accessing educational resources - without fear of punishment. The bill establishes a Civic Engagement Coordinator within the Office of Equity to handle complaints and ensure agencies uphold these rights. This policy directly affects justice-involved individuals by expanding their ability to participate in civic processes during their time in state custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly grants incarcerated individuals civic engagement rights to promote rehabilitation and inclusion, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect civil rights.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires access to virtual forums (internet access) for civic engagement, expanding digital access for incarcerated populations without punishment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1441: Authorizing repair and replace public works broadband projects.

HB 1441 establishes a competitive grant and loan program to fund repair and replacement of existing public broadband infrastructure in unserved areas, directly affecting local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and broadband-focused businesses. The bill requires applicants to first contact existing broadband providers to verify no current service meets state standards and to demonstrate project benefits like household access, community support, and long-term sustainability. It amends existing law to explicitly include "repair and replace" projects in the funding criteria, streamlining the process for maintaining and upgrading current broadband systems. Applications must detail project locations, technical capabilities, community impact, and evidence that existing providers haven’t already committed to serving the area.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state grant/loan program for public broadband infrastructure funding, directly allocating budget resources to expand essential community services in unserved areas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds repair/replacement of public broadband infrastructure in unserved areas, expanding internet access to underserved communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2004: Providing secure online access to the voter registration database.

HB 2004 requires Washington's Secretary of State to create secure online access for voters to update registration details and print replacement ballots. It directly affects all registered voters by enabling them to manage their information remotely. The key provision mandates a unique, secure verification system (not linked to voter ID) with password recovery, exempt from public disclosure. This adds a new digital access point to the existing centralized voter database, which already coordinates with state agencies like licensing and corrections.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure verification system with data privacy protections via public disclosure exemption, enhancing cybersecurity for voter database access.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1268: Concerning virtual currency transaction kiosks.

HB 1268 regulates virtual currency transaction kiosks in Washington State by requiring operators to obtain a money transmission license, treating kiosk operations as money transmission under state law. It mandates clear disclosures to users about risks (including irreversible transactions, lack of government insurance, fraud vulnerabilities, and price volatility) displayed prominently before each transaction. The bill also requires licensees to create detailed winding-down plans for business closures, ensuring consumer funds are protected and accessible. These provisions directly affect kiosk businesses and consumers using virtual currency services in Washington.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates virtual currency kiosks for consumer protection, requiring risk disclosures and licensing to address financial fraud and volatility vulnerabilities.90% confidence

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5254: Strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information.

SB 5254 strengthens patients' rights to access their electronic health care information by limiting fees charged by health care providers. It prohibits providers from charging more than $50 for electronic records delivered to patients, their representatives, attorneys, or other treating health care providers. The bill also requires the Department of Health to establish fee standards based on actual costs (not per page) for accessing records. This directly affects patients seeking their health data and health care facilities handling record requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill caps health record fees at $50 and mandates cost-based standards, directly strengthening patient access to health information per title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyLimits fees for accessing electronic health data, directly protecting patient data privacy rights under technology policy.90% confidence

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