House Bill 2446 - Quantum Technology Industry Strategy (Washington, 2026 Regular Session)

Summary

House Bill 2446, State of Washington, 69th Legislature, 2026 Regular Session, by Representatives Barnard, Ryu, Salahuddin, Shavers, and Donaghy, read first time 01/13/26 and referred to the Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans. The bill relates to developing the quantum technology industry in the state's economic development and workforce. It directs the department of commerce to develop a state quantum technology strategy covering the current state of the industry, public-private partnerships, state policies, and research and development opportunities. The department may seek gifts, grants, and other contributions from nonstate sources, must submit the strategy to the legislature by June 30, 2026, and the section expires August 1, 2027.

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Full text

     H-2856.1

                                HOUSE BILL 2446


     State of Washington        69th Legislature         2026 Regular Session

     By Representatives Barnard, Ryu, Salahuddin, Shavers, and Donaghy

     Read first time 01/13/26.      Referred   to   Committee   on   Technology,
     Economic Development, & Veterans.




 1       AN ACT Relating to developing the quantum technology industry
 2   into the state's economic development and workforce; creating new
 3   sections; and providing an expiration date.


4    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:


 5       NEW SECTION.     Sec. 1.    The legislature finds that quantum
 6   technology has the potential to revolutionize traditional industries,
 7   with implications for society in terms of health care, climate
 8   change, energy, and security. Quantum technologies use the properties
 9   identified by quantum physics to provide new capabilities in a
10   variety    of   applications,    including   computing,    networking,
11   communications, and sensing.
12       The legislature further finds that the quantum technology
13   industry is expected to create trillions of dollars of value over the
14   next decade, and that policymakers worldwide are investing in quantum
15   technology to ensure their participation in a future quantum economy.
16   As economic competition grows and businesses choose locations based
17   on each state's investment, Washington has limited time to leverage
18   its technological and scientific assets to lead the next generation
19   and drive new economic growth in the quantum technology industry.
20       The legislature further finds that in 2024 and 2025, California
21   invested $4,000,000 in quantum research and innovation, Colorado has
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 1   received $40,500,000 in federal grants and over $1,000,000,000 in
 2   private funding to build a quantum ecosystem, Illinois allocated
 3   $500,000,000 to build a national quantum hub and infrastructure to
 4   attract   quantum   companies,  and   North  Carolina   has    received
 5   $10,000,000 to research hybrid quantum computing processors.
 6       Therefore,   to   promote  economic  development   and   the   next
 7   generation workforce, the legislature finds that the development of a
 8   state quantum strategy is necessary to ensure Washington remains
 9   competitive in the quantum technology industry. A state strategy
10   should identify how state funds can promote economic growth, identify
11   opportunities for public-private partnerships, and require private
12   donations to be used to obtain additional grants and develop
13   partnerships to accelerate the state's quantum technology industry.


14       NEW SECTION.    Sec. 2.    (1) The department of commerce shall
15   develop a state quantum technology strategy.
16       (2) The state quantum technology strategy must include, but is
17   not limited to:
18       (a) An overview of the current state of the quantum technology
19   industry, its projected growth over the next decade, and specific
20   strategies that would lead to increased jobs and capital investments
21   in the state;
22       (b) Identification of projects and programs that will most
23   quickly improve the economic vitality of the quantum technology
24   industry;
25       (c) Identification of the types of public-private partnerships
26   involving government, academia, private investors, and a regional
27   organization of companies, universities, national labs, and business
28   organizations that will provide critical funding and partnerships to
29   accelerate the quantum technology industry;
30       (d) Analysis of state policies that will provide opportunities to
31   grow the quantum technology industry, including consideration of
32   regulatory reforms, tax and financial supports, and education and
33   workforce programs;
34       (e) Exploration of quantum application research in specific
35   industry areas, such as nuclear physics, energy and renewables,
36   materials science, and chemistry;
37       (f) Identification of research and development opportunities with
38   Washington-based research institutions including public universities,
39   a regional organization of companies, universities, national labs,
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 1   and business organizations, and the Pacific Northwest national
 2   laboratory;
 3       (g) Partnerships with industry and a regional organization of
 4   companies, universities, national labs, and business organizations to
 5   develop plans to attract federal investment; and
 6       (h) Identification of the anticipated impacts of a robust quantum
 7   technology industry in the state, including overall economic
 8   opportunities and workforce development.
 9       (3) The department of commerce may contract with a Washington
10   state-based quantum computing manufacturing entity or a regional
11   organization of companies, universities, national labs, and business
12   organizations to assist with the obligations under this section.
13       (4) Consistent with the department of commerce's authority under
14   RCW 43.330.040, the department of commerce shall seek gifts, grants,
15   and other contributions from nonstate sources to carry out the
16   purposes of this section.
17       (5) The department of commerce shall submit the state quantum
18   computing strategy to the legislature by June 30, 2026, in compliance
19   with RCW 43.01.036.
20       (6) This section expires August 1, 2027.

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