wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > HB 1942 > Original Bill
The legislature recognizes that fostering technological innovation is essential for Washington state's economic growth and long-term competitiveness. By investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, the state can access new sources of revenue, create high paying jobs, and position itself as a national leader in cutting-edge industries. Artificial intelligence-driven solutions have the potential to address critical statewide challenges, such as predicting and managing wildfires, improving the effectiveness of cybersecurity, and improving public health responses. Promoting the development of these technologies will not only strengthen Washington's economy, but also enhance public safety and government efficiency.
Therefore, the legislature intends to promote the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence by supporting organizations that create transformative new technologies. By encouraging innovation, this act will drive economic expansion, advance broad public benefits, attract private investment, ensure that Washington remains at the forefront of technological progress, and equip the state with cutting-edge tools to address its most pressing challenges.
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall promote the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence.
The department shall solicit input from the artificial intelligence task force, created in chapter 163, Laws of 2024, no less than once per quarter through June 30, 2027, to identify state priorities to further the economic development of technology that will provide a state benefit, such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity, or health care advancements.
The department shall pursue all available opportunities for federal funding and solicit private donations to support small businesses in the development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence.
The department shall identify relevant federal grants related to the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence in its inventory of grant opportunities required by RCW 43.330.260.
Beginning October 31, 2026, the department shall report on the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence in the state in accordance with RCW 43.01.036. The report must be updated every two years, posted on the department's website, and transmitted to the governor and the legislature. The report must identify the state priorities identified during the reporting period, the number of federal grants identified during the reporting period, the number and amount of federal grants and private donations obtained during the reporting period, and recommended legislation to promote the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence in the state.
For the purposes of this section, "artificial intelligence" means the use of machine learning and related technologies that use data to train statistical models for the purpose of enabling computer systems to perform tasks normally associated with human intelligence or perception, such as computer vision, speech or natural language processing, and content generation.
This section expires June 30, 2035.
[Empty]
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the Washington state institute for public policy shall study and report on the opportunities to promote the economic development of innovative uses of artificial intelligence in the state.
The goal of the study and report is to identify emerging technologies and uses of artificial intelligence that will provide benefits to the state, such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity, or health care advancements.
The report must be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature in accordance with RCW 43.01.036 by June 30, 2027.
The artificial intelligence task force and Washington technology solutions shall provide resources and data to assist the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct this study.
This section expires December 31, 2027.
Section 2 of this act may be known and cited as the spark act.
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, a task force to assess current uses and trends and make recommendations to the legislature regarding guidelines and potential legislation for the use of artificial intelligence systems is established.