The Washington State Legislature convened on January 11 poised to build on the momentum from the historic 2021 session, set against the ongoing pandemic and checkered economic recovery. All committee activity was held virtually, and it was only at the end of the session that floor votes were held with more than a few legislators in person.

WTIA welcomed the opportunity to partner with our members and policymakers on a wide range of issues, guided by our 2022 policy priorities. Indeed, there were a significant number of bills impacting the tech sector across workforce development, higher education and STEM, tech apprenticeships, blockchain technologies, and regulatory issues. WTIA actively engaged on over 70 bills this session.

WTIA leads the passage of the bill to create blockchain work group

Blockchain is a highly innovative technology that has the ability to increase efficiency and security across the economy and society – such as healthcare, education, supply chain logistics, and digital assets. Many states are examining strategies to promote the use of blockchain technologies, and several – including  California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Texas – have leveraged a government working group to drive strategic growth in the sector.

In this session, WTIA partnered with legislative champions Senator Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick), Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), Representative Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), and Representative Matt Boehnke (R-Kennewick) to pass Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5544 to create a blockchain work group in Washington state. The work group will examine various applications of blockchain technology, how it could be used in state government, and its impacts on the state’s workforce and energy needs. The work group will submit a report to the Legislature in December 2023 with recommendations for growing the industry in Washington.  

The work group is a foundational step toward creating a growth strategy for Washington’s blockchain sector. Led by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the work group will be made up of members from several state agencies – including the Department of Financial Institutions and Secretary of State – as well as representatives from the blockchain, cybersecurity, financial, and insurance industries; local tribes; consumer advocates; and historically underrepresented communities. WTIA and the Cascadia Blockchain Council will play a key role in coordinating industry participation and input. 

Wins for higher education and workforce development

The pandemic has shown a bright spotlight on inequities in access to a post-secondary certification, and policymakers are advancing several strategies to tackle this issue. In this session, the Legislature considered efforts to expand financial support, create new programs in computer science and cybersecurity education, and address the needs of non-traditional apprenticeship programs. 

Notably, these efforts expand eligibility for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, create a state student loan program, and improve access to financial aid passed. On apprenticeships, the Legislature passed bills to ensure the industry is consulted in the assessment of new programs and extended the full Washington College Grant to students in apprenticeship programs. In addition, the supplemental budget funds several increases for computer science and cybersecurity degrees at universities and community and technical colleges, including provisions to increase the number of computer science degrees at the University of Washington by 100 students annually and establish a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity Operation at Washington State University. 

Data privacy under discussion – again

For the fourth legislative session in a row, data privacy was a hotly debated topic in the Legislature, with competing frameworks offered in both the House and the Senate.

Representatives Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) and April Berg (D-Mill Creek) introduced the Washington Foundational Data Privacy Act, which included a new concept that created a data privacy commission. While this was broadly supported, much of the deliberation was on the definitions and broad enforcement mechanisms within the bill. It also levied a data processing tax to pay for the creation of the commission. This bill was considered alongside Senator Reuven Carlyle’s (D-Seattle) hallmark bill, the Washington Privacy Act. While this bill has evolved over the past three years, it represents consensus inputs from a range of stakeholders.

Ultimately, the Legislature considered both bills as a part of a two-bill strategy with key concepts from each that failed to garner sufficient support in either chamber. Absent federal action on this topic, consumer data privacy legislation is likely to be on the table again during the 2023 session.  

Historic agreement on ride-sharing

The Legislature passed landmark legislation this session on the regulation of transportation network companies (TNC), like rideshare companies Uber and Lyft. Following California’s 2020 ballot initiative to establish TNC drivers as independent contractors, other states and local jurisdictions have enacted minimum wage and worker flexibility standards. 

Representative Liz Berry (D-Seattle) led negotiations between the TNCs, labor unions, and driver advocates, and the parties agreed to a statewide minimum per mile, per minute, and per trip compensation rates for TNC drivers. The agreement also provides drivers with paid sick time and workers’ compensation coverage and creates a Driver Resource Center to support drivers in resolving disputes related to account deactivations. 

This legislation is the first in the country to provide benefits for drivers while maintaining the flexibility of independent contractors. 

Transportation package

Buoyed by the leadership of new Senate Transportation Committee Chair Senator Marko Liias and seasoned House Transportation Committee Chair Representative Jake Fey, the Legislature passed a 16-year, $16.8 billion additive transportation funding package. The package funds key projects, including necessary highway and ferry maintenance and preservation, ensures current mega projects like I-405 and SR 520 can continue and begins the planning for an ultra-high-speed ground transportation corridor from British Columbia to Oregon. A broad coalition of stakeholders, including WTIA, supported this package. 

WTIA will continue to work through the interim period on key policy priorities. If you would like to get involved or learn more about our policy work, please reach out to Molly Jones, Vice President of Public Policy, at mjones@washingtontechnology.org.