SB 5451
In CommitteeSenate
Quantum economic development
Concerning advancement of quantum economic development.
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 creates a quantum technology advisory committee and a grant program to help Washington attract federal funding and build a competitive quantum technology industry. It aims to strengthen the state’s leadership in this emerging field by coordinating government, academia, and industry efforts.
- Establishes a quantum technology advisory committee with 8–9 members representing state government, higher education, tech companies, aerospace, quantum computing firms, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
- The committee must meet at least quarterly, select a chair, and produce an annual report with recommendations to grow Washington’s quantum economy, plus a workforce development plan.
- Creates a grant program to help Washington-based applicants secure federal quantum technology grants, with priority given to partnerships with universities that have quantum research programs.
- The grant program must award funds at least annually and may consult with industry and national labs to identify relevant federal opportunities.
- The advisory committee and grant program expire on June 30, 2027, unless extended by future legislation.
Who is affected
- **Washington State Department of Commerce** — Will help state agencies coordinate and support quantum technology development through staff, leadership, and accountability structures.
- **Universities and research institutions in Washington with quantum technology programs** — May receive grants to help apply for federal funding and build capacity in quantum technology research and development.
- **Technology and quantum computing companies headquartered or operating in Washington** — Could receive support to pursue federal grants and expand operations in quantum computing, software, or hardware.
- **Washington residents seeking careers in emerging tech fields** — May benefit from workforce training and economic development efforts aimed at building a quantum-ready talent pipeline.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The grant program could help Washington-based startups, small tech firms, and university spin-offs secure federal funding they otherwise couldn’t access, potentially creating high-wage jobs in emerging tech sectors—if grants are awarded equitably and with outreach to underrepresented regions and businesses.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)The workforce development plan may help align community colleges, technical schools, and universities with industry needs, expanding training pathways in quantum-relevant fields like computer science, electrical engineering, and materials science—potentially increasing access to high-growth careers for Washington students.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5)(d)Mandating inclusion of representatives from higher education and PNNL ensures academic and national lab expertise informs state strategy, potentially leading to better-resourced research pipelines and more equitable access to federal grant support for public institutions.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(d), (e), (h)Inclusion of quantum hardware/software companies and aerospace firms may help attract federal investment to Washington, supporting high-tech job growth—though benefits will likely concentrate in the Puget Sound region unless outreach and partnership requirements are expanded.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(e), (f), (g)Assigning the Department of Commerce to provide staff and direction ensures administrative continuity and accountability, reducing the risk that the advisory committee becomes a symbolic effort without follow-through.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3), (4)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill creates a new grant program without specifying a funding amount or appropriation mechanism, creating fiscal uncertainty and potentially diverting limited economic development funds from other high-need areas like affordable housing, childcare, or workforce retraining for displaced workers.
FinancialRef: Sec. 2(1)The workforce development plan is non-binding and lacks enforceable targets or accountability mechanisms, reducing the likelihood it will meaningfully expand access to quantum-related careers for low- and middle-income Washingtonians without dedicated funding or program integration.
EducationRef: Sec. 1(5)(d)The annual report to the legislature contains only non-binding recommendations, meaning the advisory committee’s outputs have no statutory weight to ensure implementation or oversight—reducing the chance of tangible economic benefits for small businesses or workers outside the tech sector.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(5)(c)The requirement to partner with a university with a quantum research program may inadvertently exclude smaller community colleges, tribal colleges, or institutions outside the Puget Sound region, limiting geographic and institutional equity in access to quantum development opportunities.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)The June 30, 2027 sunset creates a short-term initiative with no long-term structural commitment, increasing the risk that any early momentum will be lost without continued legislative action—reducing predictability for local governments and workforce systems trying to plan around this initiative.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(6)
Who Is Most Affected
Large tech firms and quantum hardware/software companies with HQs in Washington may benefit from increased access to federal contracts and partnerships with national labs, but only if the grant program prioritizes scalable, high-impact projects over symbolic or politically expedient awards.
Public research universities (e.g., UW, WSU) with quantum programs may gain new funding and collaboration opportunities, but the requirement to partner with a single institution may exclude community colleges and tribal colleges from equitable participation.
Small tech startups and minority-owned tech firms may benefit if the grant program includes outreach, set-asides, or capacity-building support—but without such safeguards, they risk being outcompeted by larger, better-resourced entities.
Community college students and working adults seeking retraining may benefit from workforce development initiatives, but only if the plan includes funding for tuition support, childcare, and flexible scheduling—none of which are specified in the bill.
Puget Sound regional governments may see economic spillovers from increased tech investment, but rural and inland Washington communities may be left out unless the bill includes explicit geographic equity requirements—which it does not.