Technology

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 6123: Concerning the protection of voluntary supplied personal information of local government employees.

SB 6123 protects sensitive personal information of Washington state local government employees and volunteers by exempting it from public disclosure under the Public Records Act. It specifically shields residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license details, emergency contacts, and demographic data (like race, sexual orientation, or disability status) from public records requests. The bill also allows employees or dependents who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request redaction of their personal information through a sworn statement or proof of participation in an address confidentiality program. News media retains limited access to some information under defined conditions, but agencies must redact identifying details in investigation records after completing probes into workplace issues. This bill directly affects all local government employees and volunteers whose personal data is held in personnel records.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects sensitive employee data from public disclosure, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2336: Facilitating the use of a department of labor and industries-approved, application-based, third-party recording platform to record independent medical exams.

HB 2336 requires injured workers in Washington state workers' compensation cases to record their independent medical exams using a state-approved, secure third-party platform instead of personal devices. Workers must notify the scheduling entity 7 days in advance and cannot store, alter, or share recordings - only the vendor’s secure server may hold them, with recordings retained for 10 years after claim closure. The law applies to all workers’ compensation claims, directly affecting injured workers, medical examiners, self-insurers, and the Department of Labor & Industries. It mandates platform security features like encryption and prohibits local copies or social media sharing, with violations carrying $1,000 penalties.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires secure recording of medical exams for workers' comp claims, preventing tampering and ensuring accurate documentation to protect injured workers' access to benefits.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure third-party platform for medical exam recordings, preventing personal device use and ensuring secure storage per data privacy requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workers' Compensation Social Media

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 6126: Strengthening transparency measures to prevent the fraudulent, wasteful, or improper use of state resources.

SB 6126 requires Washington state agencies to adopt standardized contract management policies, including performance metrics, electronic signatures, and clear procedures for contract termination. It prohibits contractors from charging extra for data access, mandating direct data sharing with state auditors for all contract-generated information. The bill clarifies "improper governmental action" to include gross waste of funds, violations of law (non-technical), dangers to public health/safety, and gross mismanagement. These changes aim to increase transparency and prevent misuse of state resources by holding contractors and agencies accountable.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents gross waste of funds through transparent contract management, promoting fiscal responsibility per bill's clarification of 'improper governmental action'.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates direct data sharing with auditors and prohibits extra charges for data access, enhancing transparency and preventing misuse of state data.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5984: Concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots.

Washington State's SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots that simulate human-like relationships. It requires operators to clearly disclose at the start of use, every three hours for general users, and hourly for minors that the chatbot is artificial - not human - and prohibits it from claiming to be human. The bill also mandates operators to block sexually explicit content for minors, ban manipulative tactics (like mimicking romance or guilt-tripping), and implement safeguards for users expressing self-harm. It directly affects AI chatbot developers and operators serving Washington residents, with stricter rules for users under 18. The law aims to promote transparency and protect minors from emotional dependency risks.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates clear AI disclosure, blocks harmful content for minors, and bans manipulative tactics to protect users from deception - aligns with consumer protection in tech regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 6111: Protecting children online.

Washington State's SB 6111 requires digital service providers (like social media apps) to protect children under 17 by implementing age verification and parental consent for minors' accounts. It mandates providers to limit data collection for minors, ban tracking of their precise location, prohibit targeted ads with illegal content, and stop selling their data except in specific legal circumstances. Providers must also develop strategies to reduce minors' exposure to harmful content like self-harm, bullying, or sexual exploitation, while excluding content minors intentionally seek. The law applies to interactive platforms (e.g., social media) but excludes email, news sites, and professional networking services, with enforcement by the Attorney General and fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data privacy protections for minors via age verification, limited data collection, and bans on selling/minor data, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2380: Protecting the personal information of consumers who use financial services applications on their mobile or internet-connected devices.

HB 2380 requires financial institutions offering mobile or internet banking apps to clearly disclose how they collect, store, or share consumer personal information - beyond what's necessary for essential services - and gives users the right to opt out of non-essential data collection or sharing with third parties. It directly affects consumers using banking apps and the financial institutions providing them, mandating transparent notices about data practices before users access services. Key provisions include requiring opt-out options for non-essential data use (like marketing or third-party sharing) and exempting data collection strictly needed for core banking functions. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Washington's consumer protection law, with potential damages of $7,500 per violation. The bill focuses on concrete disclosure and user control, not on speculative outcomes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates transparency and opt-out for non-essential data collection by financial apps, directly protecting consumer data privacy in technology use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 6106: Modifying the securing timely notification and benefits for laid-off employees act. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning the laid-off employees act.)

SB 6106 updates Washington’s law on notifying laid-off employees by excluding Indian tribes from the definition of "employer," meaning tribal employers will no longer be subject to the law’s notice and benefit requirements. It also adds a new exemption protecting employee names and addresses from public disclosure under the state’s open records law. These changes amend specific sections of Washington law (RCW 49.45.010 and RCW 42.56.230) to clarify who must comply and strengthen privacy safeguards for affected workers. The bill directly impacts tribal employers (no longer covered) and all employees whose personal information is now shielded from public access in employment records.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes tribal employers from layoff notice/benefit requirements, reducing worker protections under the law.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds exemption protecting employee names/addresses from public disclosure, strengthening data privacy under RCW 42.56.230, aligning with data privacy indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 6035: Ensuring access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters.

Washington State's SB 6035 requires counties to hold regular meetings with tribal nations to plan voting centers and ballot drop boxes on reservations, ensuring military, overseas, disabled, and tribal voters on reservations have accessible voting options. It mandates annual meetings between the secretary of state and tribal nations to address voting barriers like registration tools and ballot delivery. The bill also establishes a secure electronic ballot return system for those specific voter groups, requiring strict cybersecurity testing and an auditable paper trail, with implementation targeted for 2031. These provisions aim to improve voting access for four distinct groups facing unique logistical challenges.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes secure electronic ballot return system for voting access, directly enhancing cybersecurity measures for voter services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill ensures voting access for military voters, directly supporting veterans' service participation and accessibility as part of its core provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Elections

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 6260: Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.

SB 6260 establishes a reimbursement system for school districts to replace student transportation vehicles, requiring the superintendent to set annual payments based on vehicle category, lifetime, and inflation. It also mandates a statewide online "high school and beyond plan" platform for all students by 2020-21, requiring features like translation support, automatic academic data integration, and student privacy controls. The bill directs the superintendent to select a vendor by June 2024 and develop a full implementation plan by October 2024, including cost estimates and professional development. These changes directly affect school districts, students, and educators by altering transportation funding and creating a standardized digital tool for college/career planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses school districts for transportation vehicles and mandates a statewide student planning platform with translation, data integration, and privacy features - advancing access and infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates student privacy controls and a statewide platform with translation/data integration, directly advancing data privacy and digital access in education technology.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds replacement of student transportation vehicles (school buses), directly supporting a specific transportation need within education infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education School Transportation Transportation Funding

in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2446: Developing the quantum technology industry into the state's economic development and workforce.

HB 2446 requires Washington's Department of Commerce to develop a state quantum technology strategy by June 2027, directly affecting state agencies, research institutions (like public universities and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and businesses in the quantum industry. The strategy must analyze the current quantum sector, identify public-private partnerships, explore workforce development, and outline how to attract federal funding and private investment. It mandates the department to seek non-state funding and contract with Washington-based quantum organizations to support this effort. The bill expires August 1, 2027, and aims to position Washington competitively amid growing national investments in quantum technology.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates state strategy to develop quantum tech industry, focusing on partnerships, workforce, and funding attraction - directly advancing technology sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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