Technology

passed · Washington · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 4609: Recognizing Data Privacy Day.

This resolution (HR 4609) formally recognizes Data Privacy Day on January 28th, as established by U.S. Congress in 2009. It does not create new laws or impose requirements; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about data privacy. The resolution highlights the importance of protecting personal information in digital interactions and encourages Washington residents to learn about privacy best practices. It aligns with global observances in 50 countries and emphasizes education for individuals, businesses, and governments. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct regulatory impact or effect on specific groups.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySymbolic recognition of Data Privacy Day promotes awareness and protection of personal data in digital interactions, aligning with privacy advocacy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5335: Establishing the rural nursing education program.

SB 5335 establishes a state-funded rural nursing education program to address nurse shortages in Washington's underserved rural communities. The program provides distance learning and support services - including childcare, transportation assistance, and internet access - to nursing students who commit to working in rural areas after graduation. It requires collaboration between rural hospitals, academic institutions, and community partners to create tailored training models and address workforce barriers like high urban salaries and pandemic-related burnout. The bill targets Washington’s 39 critical access hospitals and aims to build a sustainable pipeline of local nurses for rural health facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded program allocates public resources to address rural healthcare workforce shortages, directly increasing government spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationState-funded nursing education program expands higher education access in underserved rural areas with childcare/transportation support, directly advancing educational access and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareState-funded program trains nurses for rural areas, directly addressing workforce shortages and improving healthcare access in underserved communities through education and support services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly provides internet access as a support service for rural nursing students, directly expanding digital access in underserved communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Healthcare Workforce Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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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

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1887: Creating a data broker registry for the purpose of imposing a data broker severance tax.

HB 1887 requires data brokers - businesses that collect, aggregate, and sell Washington residents' personal information without consent - to register annually with the Department of Licensing starting in 2026. It defines "brokered personal data" broadly (including names, addresses, biometric details, and social security numbers) and exempts consumer reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and services providing public business info or health/safety alerts. Data brokers must submit basic contact details and pay an annual registration fee, with the revenue intended to fund state programs. The bill aims to create transparency about this industry while generating state revenue from a growing business model.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new data broker severance tax, creating direct revenue stream for state budget without targeting individuals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers selling personal information without consent via registration and severance tax, directly strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the bill's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Revenue Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1029: Concerning 3D-printed building construction.

HB 1029 requires Washington’s building code council to update the state residential code to include 3D-printed building construction standards in two phases. First, by the 2024 code update cycle, the council must adopt the 2024 International Residential Code appendix for 3D printing in the code’s appendix. Second, by the 2027 update cycle, it must move these standards into the main body of the residential code, not just an appendix. This bill directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners using 3D-printed construction methods in Washington state by establishing standardized safety and technical requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables 3D-printed construction standards, facilitating faster, potentially lower-cost housing development, supporting housing supply expansion.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes regulatory standards for 3D printing in construction, enabling adoption and innovation in building technology by mandating code integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5663: Establishing a virtual campus for all Washingtonians.

SB 5663 allows Washington community and technical colleges to advertise their entirely online course offerings to potential students statewide, beyond their traditional district boundaries. Colleges can use various methods, including digital advertising and direct mail, to distribute information about these online courses. The bill also permits colleges to inform their local citizens about online programs offered exclusively by neighboring districts. However, it explicitly states that community and technical colleges are not allowed to compete with each other or other higher education institutions for student enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling community colleges to advertise online courses statewide, increasing opportunity for all Washingtonians to access higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables digital advertising of online courses, expanding access to virtual education and supporting digital equity through technology adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1517: Providing a revenue stream to fund digital equity programs.

HB 1517 imposes a $2 tax on the retail sale of smart wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, and laptops) priced over $250. The revenue collected will fund Washington's digital equity programs, specifically targeting underserved communities. This includes improving internet access, providing devices, and offering digital skills training for rural residents, seniors, veterans, low-income households, and others facing connectivity barriers. The tax applies to sellers who collect it from buyers at the point of sale, with funds deposited into a dedicated state digital equity account. The bill aims to address systemic gaps in digital access identified through legislative findings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on devices to fund digital equity programs for underserved communities, advancing public service funding as per bill's explicit revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds digital equity programs via device tax, directly expanding internet access, device provision, and digital skills training for underserved communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1453: Protecting consumers by increasing penalties for scrap metal businesses who purchase stolen copper from telecommunication cables.

HB 1453 increases penalties for scrap metal businesses that buy stolen copper from telecommunication cables, which can disrupt phone and internet services, including emergency calls. The bill imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 for a first violation, $20,000 for a second, and revokes a business’s license for a third violation. It directly affects scrap metal businesses purchasing copper illegally taken from telecom infrastructure. The law amends Washington’s existing civil penalty structure under RCW 19.290.080 to specifically target this type of theft.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents theft disrupting telecom infrastructure, protecting internet/phone services and emergency calls by targeting illegal copper acquisition from cables.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5324: Aligning the implementation of application programming interfaces for prior authorization with federal guidelines.

SB 5324 requires Washington health insurance carriers to implement digital connections (APIs) for prior authorization processes by 2025, aligning with federal standards. It sets strict time limits: 3 days for standard electronic requests and 1 day for expedited requests, with clear rules for handling missing information. Carriers must use evidence-based clinical criteria that consider health equity for underserved groups and make prior authorization rules accessible in plain language. This directly affects health insurers offering plans renewed after 2024, mandating faster, more transparent digital workflows for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates digital prior authorization APIs with time limits and health equity focus, improving patient access and reducing administrative barriers in insurance coverage.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates health insurers to implement APIs for prior authorization, advancing digital health technology standards and promoting interoperability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth

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passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5708: Protecting Washington children online.

Senate Bill 5708, titled "Protecting Washington children online," aims to enhance online safety and privacy for minors in Washington state. The bill requires businesses providing online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by minors to either estimate user age or apply minor-level privacy protections to all users. It prohibits these businesses from collecting, selling, sharing, or retaining personal information from minors under 13, with an exception for age verification. Data collected for age estimation must not be used for other purposes or retained longer than necessary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires minor-level privacy protections, prohibits data collection from under-13s except for age verification, directly advancing data privacy for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government Online Safety

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