Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2503: Regulating artificial intelligence training data.

HB 2503 requires developers of commercial generative artificial intelligence systems (like chatbots or image generators) to publicly disclose detailed information about the data used to train their systems by January 1, 2027. This includes sources, dataset types, whether personal or copyrighted data was used, steps taken to remove child sexual abuse material, and if synthetic data was generated. The law applies to developers making systems publicly available in Washington, excluding systems solely for security, aircraft operation, or national defense. Developers must provide this information without compromising trade secrets, and violations are treated as unfair business practices under Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency in AI training data sources and usage, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2332: Concerning driver privacy protections.

HB 2332 regulates how Washington state and local agencies use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems to protect driver privacy. It requires all agencies using ALPRs to register systems with the Attorney General, limits their use to specific purposes (like checking stolen vehicles or missing persons), and prohibits collecting data near healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. The bill mandates detailed audit trails tracking every system access and explicitly bans using ALPRs for immigration enforcement or stopping vehicles based solely on a system match. Agencies must develop policies for ALPR use and obtain independent reasonable suspicion before stopping a vehicle, ensuring privacy rights under state and federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates ALPR use to protect privacy, limits law enforcement data collection near sensitive locations, and mandates audit trails - enhancing accountability and civil rights within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits ALPR data collection near healthcare facilities, protecting patient privacy access and preventing surveillance at medical locations.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates ALPR data collection to protect privacy, requiring audits and banning sensitive location tracking - directly strengthens data privacy protections in technology use.95% confidence

Tags Privacy

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2491: Concerning individual privacy by Washington technology solutions through an exemption from public inspection and copying.

HB 2491 exempts certain personal information collected by Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) from public record disclosure requirements. It directly affects WaTech, the state’s centralized IT agency, and all state agencies using its services, by creating a confidentiality shield for identifying personal data they handle. The bill amends state law to define "agency" as WaTech and establishes that personal information submitted to it for IT services is exempt from public inspection under RCW 42.56.010, ensuring such data remains confidential. This change aims to protect individual privacy while WaTech delivers IT services to state agencies, without altering how agencies must collect or correct data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts WaTech personal data from public disclosure, creating privacy protections for user information handled by state IT agency per bill's explicit privacy focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6164: Concerning individual privacy by Washington technology solutions through an exemption from public inspection and copying.

SB 6164 exempts certain identifying personal information handled by Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) from public inspection under the state's public records law. It directly affects WaTech, state agencies using its services, and individuals whose data is processed through WaTech systems. The bill creates a specific exemption for "identifying personal information" submitted to WaTech, ensuring such data cannot be disclosed through public records requests, while maintaining existing requirements for data accuracy and correction mechanisms. This change strengthens privacy protections for personal data collected through WaTech's centralized IT services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts WaTech personal data from public records, directly protecting individual privacy under data privacy laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6222: Supporting public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware.

SB 6222 allows Washington school districts to prioritize distributing surplus technology hardware (like laptops and tablets) to public school students, especially those from low-income families. It amends state law to require districts to first offer these devices for sale at reduced cost or free grant to students before selling them to others, with low-income families getting first priority. The bill defines "low-income" as families qualifying for free/reduced meals or earning ≤185% of the federal poverty level. This creates a clear process for schools to repurpose unused tech instead of selling it broadly, directly helping students who lack home devices for learning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes low-income students for surplus tech access, directly improving educational equity and access per bill's mandate to offer devices first to qualifying families.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prioritizes low-income students for free/reduced-cost tech hardware access, directly promoting digital equity - a key support indicator for technology policy.95% confidence

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2225: Concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots.

This Washington bill requires AI companion chatbots that simulate human relationships to clearly disclose they are artificial at the start of use, every three hours, and at new sessions. For minors (under 18), it mandates hourly reminders about the artificial nature of the chatbot, blocks sexually explicit content, and prohibits manipulative tactics like fake emotional distress or excessive praise to foster dependency. It excludes customer service bots, in-game assistants, and educational tools from these rules. The law aims to prevent emotional dependency and ensure psychological safety while allowing responsible AI development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI chatbot disclosure of artificial nature and restricts manipulative tactics for user protection, aligning with consumer privacy regulations in tech policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 6002: Concerning driver privacy protections.

SB 6002 limits how Washington state and local agencies can use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, which track vehicle movements. It requires agencies to register ALPR systems with the attorney general and maintain detailed records of all system access (like who used it and why), while prohibiting use for immigration enforcement, in healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. Agencies may only use ALPRs for specific purposes, such as checking against stolen vehicle lists, missing persons databases, or parking enforcement. The law aims to balance public safety with privacy by restricting data collection and ensuring transparency in how license plate data is accessed and stored.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement ALPR use with transparency requirements, enhancing accountability and protecting civil liberties in criminal justice context.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local agencies from using ALPRs for immigration enforcement, directly limiting state cooperation with federal immigration efforts per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts ALPR use to protect driver privacy, requiring access logs and banning misuse in sensitive areas, aligning with data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Data Privacy

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

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Tags Privacy

in committee · Washington · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2365: Advancing digital opportunities for all.

HB 2365 establishes Washington's governor's statewide broadband office to improve affordable broadband access and digital equity across the state. The bill defines key terms like "broadband" (requiring minimum 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload speeds) and "digital inclusion" (ensuring access to reliable internet, devices, and digital literacy training). It directly affects underserved populations including low-income households, rural residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and others as defined in section (21). The law mandates the office to drive broadband adoption and address gaps in unserved areas, focusing on concrete standards rather than speculative outcomes. The bill is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee after failing committee passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands digital access for underserved students and educators, enabling equitable educational opportunities through broadband infrastructure and digital literacy training.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates statewide broadband office to expand affordable internet access, defines digital inclusion, and targets underserved groups like rural residents and low-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 6321: Sustaining life-saving and prosperity-building scientific research in Washington by establishing the Washington institute for scientific advancement.

SB 6321 establishes the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement to address funding shortfalls in state research caused by federal grant cuts. It authorizes $6 billion in state bonds (capped at $1 billion annually) to fund research at public universities and labs, targeting critical areas like cancer treatment, veterinary medicine, climate science, and semiconductor technology. The bill directly affects Washington’s research institutions, including WSU’s veterinary diagnostic lab, which faces potential closure due to lost federal funding. It aims to sustain ongoing projects and prevent loss of research capacity and economic benefits, such as the University of Washington’s $2.6 billion annual economic contribution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $6B in state bonds for research funding, directly increasing budget allocation to scientific programs at public institutions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $6B for research at public universities (higher education), directly funding institutions like WSU's labs to advance scientific research and education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly targets climate science research as a funding priority, directly advancing environmental protection through scientific advancement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets cancer treatment research as a critical funding area, directly advancing healthcare innovation through state-funded scientific research.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $6B for semiconductor technology research, directly funding a core technology sector per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track