SHB 2446
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 directs Washington’s Department of Commerce to create a state strategy to build the quantum technology industry—a fast-growing field using quantum physics for computing, sensing, and secure communications—to boost jobs, economic growth, and global competitiveness. It draws on examples of other states’ investments to justify action and sets a deadline for completing the plan.
- Requires the Department of Commerce to develop a state quantum technology strategy by June 30, 2026.
- The strategy must include plans to grow jobs, capital investment, and public-private partnerships in the quantum industry.
- Identifies priority areas for research and development, including energy, materials science, nuclear physics, and chemistry.
- Directs the state to explore partnerships with Washington-based research institutions, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and public universities.
- Allows the state to contract with quantum companies or regional groups to help develop the strategy.
- Expires on August 1, 2027 unless extended by future legislation.
Who is affected
- **Department of Commerce** — Will support development of a state-level plan to grow the quantum industry, including coordinating with universities, labs, and businesses.
- **Quantum computing manufacturing entities and regional organizations (e.g., universities, national labs, business groups)** — May be asked to help develop the state strategy through research, planning, or coordination; may receive contracts to support quantum-related work.
- **Washington residents (especially students, researchers, and tech workers)** — May benefit from new workforce training, research opportunities, and job creation linked to the emerging quantum industry.
- **Private investors and tech companies** — Could gain access to new research partnerships, funding, and business opportunities as the state builds its quantum ecosystem.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
The strategy must include job and capital investment projections, and analyze overall economic opportunities—creating a framework for measurable, publicly accountable economic development that could lead to high-quality STEM jobs in underserved regions if paired with equity requirements in future legislation.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a), (h)Mandating research in energy, materials science, and chemistry—and partnerships with public universities and PNNL—creates a pathway for state investment in applied STEM education and research infrastructure that could benefit community college programs, apprenticeships, and K–12 STEM outreach if implemented equitably.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(e), (f)Requiring identification of public-private partnerships and federal investment strategies may unlock external funding (e.g., federal CHIPS Act or NSF grants) that could support regional innovation hubs, especially if the strategy includes requirements for inclusive participation by minority-serving institutions or rural economic development districts.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c), (g)The requirement to consider tax and financial supports—and regulatory reforms—provides an opening for future legislation to embed worker protections, local hiring, and small business set-asides in quantum-related incentives, if the strategy’s recommendations are acted upon.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(d)Allowing the Department of Commerce to seek private donations and grants may leverage external funding to support workforce training or incubator programs—though success depends on whether grantees prioritize underserved communities over high-return corporate partners.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(4)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill requires the Department of Commerce to analyze regulatory reforms, tax and financial supports, and education/workforce programs—but does not mandate specific pro-worker or pro-competition safeguards. Without binding requirements, the resulting strategy may prioritize corporate tax incentives or deregulation over worker protections or antitrust enforcement, potentially benefiting large tech firms more than small businesses or workers.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(d)The strategy must identify partnerships to attract federal investment, but federal quantum funding tends to flow disproportionately to elite research institutions and large defense contractors—many based outside Washington—reducing the likelihood that local small businesses or community colleges will capture meaningful contracts or training opportunities.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(g)Allowing the Department of Commerce to contract with regional organizations—including universities, national labs, and business groups—risks concentrating planning and implementation responsibilities among well-resourced institutions (e.g., University of Washington, PNNL), potentially sidelining smaller community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or rural economic development groups that serve broader populations.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(3)While the bill avoids direct state appropriation, it creates a new administrative function (strategy development) without specifying funding sources—potentially diverting existing Department of Commerce staff time and resources from other economic development priorities, especially in regions already underserved by tech investment.
Local GovernmentRef: Fiscal Impact (no appropriation)The focus on partnerships with elite research institutions (e.g., UW, PNNL) may reinforce existing academic hierarchies and limit K–12 or community college integration in quantum workforce development—despite the bill’s stated goal of workforce training—reducing access for low-income or first-generation students.
EducationRef: Sec. 2(2)(f)
Who Is Most Affected
Large research universities (e.g., UW) and national labs (e.g., PNNL) are explicitly named as partners and may receive contracts to develop the strategy—giving them influence over the direction of future quantum investments and potential access to follow-on funding.
Existing quantum tech startups and manufacturers in Washington (e.g., in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor or Eastern WA tech clusters) may benefit from increased visibility, partnerships, and access to state-facilitated federal grants—but only if they meet eligibility thresholds for participation.
Community colleges, tribal colleges, and workforce training providers may gain new funding streams for quantum-related curriculum development, but the bill does not require their inclusion in planning—so benefits depend on future policy choices.
Low-income and rural residents are unlikely to benefit unless the strategy includes explicit equity mandates—current provisions do not require targeted outreach, hiring goals, or infrastructure investments in underserved areas.
K–12 students and teachers may benefit from new STEM outreach or curriculum development if the strategy includes K–12 components—but the bill does not require such inclusion, and existing STEM gaps may persist without targeted funding.