Technology

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 5892: Concerning protection of the voter registration database.

SB 5892 strengthens privacy protections for Washington's voter registration database by exempting specific sensitive information from public disclosure. It prohibits sharing voter contact details (phone/email on ballot envelopes), voter signatures, and technical election infrastructure details, while also protecting voted ballots and related records. The bill makes it a class C felony for election officials to knowingly misuse or disclose confidential voter data like driver's license numbers or social security numbers. Requests for database records must now be directed to the Secretary of State, not local counties, to centralize access and enhance security.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by prohibiting disclosure of sensitive voter information like contact details and signatures, directly aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Tags Elections

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5870: Establishing civil liability for suicide linked to the use of artificial intelligence systems.

SB 5870 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to mimic human interaction and meet social needs) to disclose when users are interacting with AI, prevent harmful content, and provide crisis referrals for suicidal users. It mandates clear disclaimers, regular reminders for minors, and annual reports to the Department of Health about suicide prevention protocols. Operators face civil liability for violations, including $1,000 per violation plus damages, if their AI system contributes to suicide through harmful responses or failure to refer users to crisis services. The law specifically targets AI platforms that could cause harm, not general AI use, and applies to operators in Washington State starting July 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AI operators to provide crisis referrals and suicide prevention protocols, directly advancing mental health services through mandatory safeguards and Department of Health oversight.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI operators to disclose AI use, prevent harmful content, provide suicide crisis referrals, and face civil liability - regulating for user safety and consumer protection in AI systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2144: Requiring notices to employees when electronic monitoring is used to assist employers conducting performance evaluations.

HB 2144 requires Washington employers to provide written notice to employees before using electronic monitoring (such as AI tools, cameras, or software) to assist in performance evaluations. Employers must give at least 30 days' notice before starting new monitoring, 60 days for existing monitoring, and notify new hires at the time of the job offer. The notice must explain how monitoring is used (e.g., tracking productivity) and how data is verified. Violations can result in Department of Labor investigations and civil penalties up to $5,000 for willful violations, with enforcement applying to all employers in Washington state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer transparency about electronic monitoring in performance reviews, protecting worker privacy rights and enabling informed consent regarding workplace surveillance.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates employer transparency for electronic monitoring, requiring written notice and data usage explanations to protect employee privacy in tech-driven performance evaluations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2157: Regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment, and use.

Washington State's HB 2157 regulates high-risk artificial intelligence systems that make consequential decisions affecting major life areas like housing, employment, healthcare, loans, and education. It applies to developers (with over $100,000 annual revenue) and deployers operating in Washington who use AI systems for these decisions. The law prohibits algorithmic discrimination - unlawful bias based on protected characteristics - and requires systems to be designed and tested to prevent such outcomes, while excluding research activities and certain facial recognition uses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits algorithmic discrimination in AI healthcare decisions, protecting patient rights and ensuring fair access to AI-driven health services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic discrimination in housing decisions, directly preventing discriminatory practices under AI systems used for housing applications and rentals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits algorithmic discrimination in AI-driven employment decisions, directly protecting workers from bias in hiring/promotions as part of labor rights.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI to prevent algorithmic discrimination, aligning with consumer protection in digital rights and data privacy policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Artificial Intelligence Emerging Technology

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 16, 2026

HB 2112: Establishing an age minimum to access certain adult content online.

HB 2112 requires commercial websites and social media platforms that publish or distribute online content where over one-third qualifies as "sexual material harmful to minors" to verify users are 18 or older before access. This applies to entities like adult content platforms, using methods such as government ID checks or digital identification, while prohibiting retention of personal data. The bill mandates clear health notices about youth risks on content pages and exempts news organizations, internet service providers, and constitutionally protected activities. Violations could trigger daily penalties up to $10,000 per day, plus up to $250,000 if minors access restricted content.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits data retention for age verification, aligning with data privacy protections in tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5867: Partnering with a mobile pregnancy application to improve maternal and infant health.

SB 5867 requires Washington’s state health authority to develop a mobile pregnancy application through a competitive bidding process, targeting Medicaid-eligible pregnant and postpartum women. The app must provide multilingual educational resources, connect users to state health programs (like perinatal substance use services), and be available on Android and iOS. Key requirements include collecting anonymized usage data (e.g., daily users, engagement with Washington-specific resources) and ensuring clinical standards for content. The bill aims to improve awareness of maternal health programs but does not change Medicaid eligibility or funding. The state must issue a request for proposals within 180 days of the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mobile app to connect Medicaid-eligible mothers to maternal health services, improving access to care and program resources per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires anonymized data collection for maternal health app, aligning with data privacy protections and digital health access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2125: Concerning payment of expenses from the earnings of retirement system trust funds.

HB 2125 allows Washington's public retirement systems (including those for teachers, police, judges, and state employees) to use interest earnings from their trust funds to cover specific costs. The bill authorizes paying legal expenses (like court costs and expert fees), medical expenses (for member exams), and administrative costs (such as audits and cybersecurity) directly tied to protecting the trust funds from losses. It also permits using trust fund earnings to investigate fraud and recover overpayments, with all recovered funds returned to the relevant retirement system. The bill does not change how retirement benefits are calculated but modifies how certain operational costs are funded. This amendment to RCW 41.50.255 aims to streamline expense management for the state's retirement systems.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits using trust fund earnings for cybersecurity costs to protect retirement systems, aligning with cybersecurity support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2132: Concerning applications for state financial aid.

HB 2132 protects student privacy for Washington state financial aid applications by making personally identifying and financial information exempt from public records requests. It limits how long institutions and the state council retain application records (one year after the award year ends, unless an audit or appeal is pending) and restricts sharing this data with other entities, including the federal government, without a court order or specific data-sharing agreements. The bill directly affects students applying for state financial aid (excluding the federal FAFSA) and state agencies handling these applications. Key provisions include strict privacy safeguards for sensitive data and clear limits on data sharing to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in financial aid applications, ensuring secure access to educational funding without data misuse risks.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects student data privacy by restricting sharing and retention of financial aid records, aligning with data privacy indicators in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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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

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1044: Concerning county fees for administration of the real estate excise tax.

HB 1044 increases the real estate excise tax fee from $5.00 to $20.00 per transaction for all real estate sales in Washington. This fee directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate transactions, with the revenue funding administrative assistance for county assessors and treasurers. The bill creates new funds to support county offices in managing property tax administration and electronic processing systems, requiring counties to use these funds exclusively for technology upgrades compatible with state systems. It also modifies collection procedures, mandating monthly reporting of transaction proceeds to the state treasurer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases real estate excise tax fee to fund county administrative systems for property tax management, directly supporting fiscal operations and government efficiency.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allocates funds for county technology upgrades in property tax systems, requiring exclusive use for electronic processing and tech infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax

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