Report - 2025 02 05 A32663 D278056 Bill Report 5451 Sbr Bft Ta 25

Summary

A Washington Senate Bill Report on SB 5451, concerning advancement of quantum economic development, as of January 29, 2025, prepared for the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade. The bill is sponsored by Senators Slatter, Boehnke, Nobles, Shewmake and Stanford. The report gives background on quantum technology, the federal National Quantum Initiative Act and the Northwest Quantum Nexus. It summarizes the bill as establishing an advisory committee, staffed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, that must meet at least quarterly and expires on June 30, 2027, and requiring Commerce to establish a grant program, subject to appropriation, supporting applicants for federal quantum technology grants. It closes with a staff summary of public testimony, including testimony from the prime sponsor.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

                            SENATE BILL REPORT
                                  SB 5451

                                      As of January 29, 2025

Title: An act relating to the advancement of quantum economic development.

Brief Description: Concerning advancement of quantum economic development.

Sponsors: Senators Slatter, Boehnke, Nobles, Shewmake and Stanford.

Brief History:
     Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services & Trade: 1/29/25.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
           • Establishes an advisory committee           to   advance    the   economic
             development of quantum technologies.
           • Specifies the composition and duties of the committee and requires the
             Washington State Department of Commerce to provide staff and
             direction for the committee.
           • Requires the Washington State Department of Commerce to establish a
             grant program, subject to legislative appropriation, to support applicants
             for federal grants related to quantum technology.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES & TRADE

     Staff: John Kim (786-7453)

     Background: Quantum Technology. Quantum technology is technology using the
     principles of quantum mechanics, which are the laws of physics applying to subatomic
     particles. Some current technologies that have a basis in quantum science include the
     Global Positioning System or GPS, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, semiconductors,
     and lasers for telecommunications.




     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Senate Bill Report                              -1-                                             SB 5451
     Applications of quantum technology under research and development include quantum
     computing, secure communication, quantum data networks, and quantum sensors in fields
     such as positioning systems, communication technology, electric and magnetic field
     sensors, and gravimetry and geophysical research. Some applications of quantum
     computing include quantum simulation, cryptography, optimization algorithms, quantum
     machine learning, and search.

     Legislation. In 2018, the federal National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) was enacted,
     which established a plan for advancing quantum technology. The NQIA authorized
     quantum research activities for the National Institute of Sciences and Technology, the
     National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Energy.

     States that have enacted legislation relating to quantum technology include Colorado,
     Illinois, New Mexico, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

     Entities. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a national laboratory of the United
     States Department of Energy. Its main campus is in Richland, Washington, with additional
     research facilities around the country.

     The Northwest Quantum Nexus is a public-private consortium formed in 2019, with
     objectives including forming public-private research teams and partnerships and cultivating
     a workforce in quantum science, engineering, and technology. Members have included the
     Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Amazon Web Services, Boeing, Microsoft
     Quantum, the University of Washington, and Washington State University.

     Summary of Bill: Advisory Committee. An advisory committee (committee) is
     established to advance the economic development of quantum technologies. The committee
     members must be appointed by the director of the Washington State Department of
     Commerce (Commerce) and be comprised as follows:
         • the Lieutenant Governor or a designee;
         • one statewide elected official;
         • the director of Commerce or a designee;
         • one or more representatives from an institution of higher education;
         • two representatives from technology companies with headquarters in the state;
         • one representative from an aerospace company with a factory in the state;
         • one representative from a company that builds and sells quantum computers and
            software; and
         • one representative from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

     Commerce must provide direction and ensure accountability for the committee through its
     information technology sector lead within the Office of Economic Development and
     Competitiveness. Commerce must also provide staff for the committee.

     The committee must:


Senate Bill Report                            -2-                                       SB 5451
         • select a chair from among its membership;
         • meet at least quarterly, with the initial meeting no later than August 1, 2025;
         • produce an annual report to the Legislature with recommendations to competitively
           promote a quantum technology ecosystem in the state; and
         • produce a workforce development plan.

     The committee expires on June 30, 2027.

     Grant Program. Commerce, through its Office of Economic Development and
     Competitiveness, must establish a grant program to support eligible applicants for federal
     grants related to quantum technology. Commerce must award grants on at least an annual
     basis. The grant program is subject to the availability of amounts appropriated by the
     Legislature for this specific purpose.

     Commerce must partner with an institution of higher education with a research program in
     quantum technology and may consult with technology companies, the Northwest Quantum
     Nexus coalition, companies that build and sell quantum computers and software, or the
     Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to identify relevant federal grants for the state's
     economic development.

     Commerce may adopt rules to implement the grant program, including specifying the
     manner in which eligible applicants must apply.

     Appropriation: The bill contains a section or sections to limit implementation to the
     availability of amounts appropriated for that specific purpose.

     Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2025.

     Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

     Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

     Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill positions Washington as a leader in
     quantum computing, which has the potential to transform different fields like health care,
     cybersecurity, and clean energy. The technology requires research and a lot of partnership
     between academia and industry. If other states and other countries have access to the
     technology but we are not understanding it, it puts us as risk of being behind. It is important
     to be able to access federal grants and get advice.

     OTHER: We have the research wherewithal to contribute to the intellectual capital of
     quantum, but we really don't understand the commercial opportunity. The bill sets up a
     working group that can prepare for the commercialization. Every indication is that the
     federal government will continue to fund the National Quantum Initiative. We need to be
     coordinated in order to pursue this funding. We believe there is a fantastic opportunity for


Senate Bill Report                              -3-                                         SB 5451
     us in Washington.

     Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Vandana Slatter, Prime Sponsor.

     OTHER: Joseph Williams, Commerce Department.

     Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.




Senate Bill Report                         -4-                          SB 5451


File and source

File

2025-02-05_a32663_d278056_bill-report-5451-sbr-bft-ta-25.pdf

Size

10,887 bytes

SHA-256

9276fb0a2e439b2a8c409239c23f3f88e5fe7eba5adc32701786a9d000615a4e

Our copy

2025-02-05_a32663_d278056_bill-report-5451-sbr-bft-ta-25.pdf

Original

app.leg.wa.gov