HB 2368
In CommitteeHouse
Quantum technology industry
Developing the quantum technology industry into the state's economic development and workforce.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires Washington’s Department of Commerce to create a state quantum technology strategy to position the state as a leader in the emerging quantum industry. It outlines specific goals like boosting jobs, attracting federal and private investment, and building partnerships with universities, labs, and businesses—drawing comparisons to investments made by other states like California, Colorado, Illinois, and North Carolina.
- Requires the Department of Commerce to develop a state quantum technology strategy by June 30, 2026.
- The strategy must include analysis of how to grow jobs and investment in the quantum industry, identify priority projects, and outline public-private partnership models.
- Directs the state to explore regulatory, tax, and financial incentives to support the quantum industry, as well as workforce and education programs.
- Authorizes the Department of Commerce to partner with Washington-based quantum companies, universities, national labs (like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and regional business organizations.
- Requires the strategy to include plans to attract federal investment and assess economic and workforce impacts of a strong quantum industry in Washington.
- Expires on August 1, 2027, unless extended by future legislation.
Who is affected
- Washington-based research institutions (including public universities and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) — May receive state support and partnerships to develop quantum-related research, workforce training, and business development initiatives.
- Private quantum technology companies and manufacturers — Could benefit from new public-private partnership opportunities, state strategy support, and potential access to federal funding through state-led efforts.
- Students and job seekers in STEM fields — May gain access to new education and training programs designed to prepare students and workers for emerging quantum-related jobs.
- Washington State Department of Commerce — Will be responsible for developing and submitting the state’s quantum strategy, coordinating with academic and industry partners, and seeking external funding.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill explicitly includes exploration of quantum applications in energy and renewables, which could accelerate development of more efficient batteries, grid optimization, or carbon capture technologies — potentially lowering energy costs and emissions for everyday Washingtonians over time.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(e)By mandating analysis of education and workforce programs, the bill creates a framework to align K–12, community college, and university curricula with quantum-ready skills — potentially expanding access to high-growth STEM careers for Washington students, especially if paired with targeted outreach to community colleges and minority-serving institutions.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(d)The requirement to partner with regional organizations (including universities, national labs, and business groups) could catalyze regional quantum ecosystems outside the Seattle core — potentially creating high-tech jobs and spin-off businesses in Eastern Washington or smaller tech hubs, broadening economic opportunity across the state.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(f)By directing the state to attract federal investment, the bill could leverage Washington’s existing scientific infrastructure (e.g., PNNL, UW, WSU) to win multi-billion-dollar federal quantum grants — generating high-wage jobs, infrastructure upgrades, and local contracting opportunities for Washington-based firms and workers.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(g)The strategy’s focus on identifying projects that “most quickly improve economic vitality” — if implemented with equity goals — could prioritize workforce development and small-business incubation, helping local entrepreneurs access quantum supply chains or service opportunities.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill authorizes exploration of tax and financial incentives to support the quantum industry, but lacks specificity on how those incentives would be structured — raising risk that future implementations could favor large corporations or wealthy investors through subsidies, deductions, or credits that disproportionately benefit high-value assets or high-income earners, especially if structured like capital gains exemptions or R&D tax credits without low-income safeguards.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(d)The bill expires August 1, 2027, unless extended — creating policy uncertainty for local governments, universities, and quantum firms that may hesitate to commit long-term resources without multi-year certainty, potentially slowing early-stage development and job creation.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(5)By relying on private donations, grants, and gifts to fund strategy development (and likely future implementation), the bill risks creating a funding model where private interests shape priorities — potentially skewing research agendas, workforce training, or incentive design toward commercially viable (rather than socially beneficial) quantum applications.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(4)While the bill identifies research institutions (e.g., PNNL, UW) as key partners, it does not require equitable access to quantum education or job pathways for underrepresented communities — increasing risk that workforce development benefits accrue primarily to students at elite institutions or those already in STEM pipelines, exacerbating existing inequities.
EducationRef: Sec. 2(2)(f)The bill emphasizes attracting federal and private investment but provides no enforceable metrics or accountability for job quality — meaning growth in quantum jobs could be concentrated in high-paying, low-volume roles (e.g., PhD-level researchers) rather than broad-based employment gains for Washington’s working-class residents.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
May benefit significantly from state-supported R&D partnerships, workforce training grants, and potential access to quantum infrastructure — but only if the strategy includes explicit equity and inclusion requirements for community colleges, HBCUs, and tribal institutions.
Could gain early access to state-facilitated federal grants, private partnerships, and talent pipelines — but may not benefit unless the strategy includes requirements for inclusive hiring, supplier diversity, or local hiring preferences.
May see increased STEM job opportunities, especially if the strategy includes K–12 outreach and community college pathways — but without targeted support, low-income and first-generation students may be left out of high-growth quantum careers.
Could lose influence over research priorities if private partners dominate strategy implementation — but may gain new funding streams if they successfully compete for state-contracted strategy development work.
May benefit from new high-tech job growth and spin-off businesses — but only if the strategy includes policies to ensure local hiring, affordable housing near new hubs, and protection against displacement in tech-adjacent neighborhoods.