Senate Bill Report, SB 6289 — Statewide Economic Development and Competitiveness Plan (January 29, 2026)

Summary

Senate Bill Report on SB 6289, as of January 29, 2026, for the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development, with Senators Kauffman, Cortes, Hasegawa, Lovick, Nobles, Shewmake and Valdez among the sponsors. The brief summary says the bill requires the Department of Commerce to create an economic development and competitiveness strategic plan. The background says the Governor's supplemental 2025-27 budget provisos $150,000 of Commerce's base budget to initiate such a plan. The staff summary of public testimony records PRO testimony from Senator Claudia Kauffman, Prime Sponsor, and representatives of the Washington Economic Development Association and the Washington Public Ports Association, and OTHER testimony from Andrea Chartock of the Washington State Department of Commerce.

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 6289

                                      As of January 29, 2026

Title: An act relating to the creation of a statewide economic development and competitiveness
     strategic plan.

Brief Description: Creating a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic
     plan.

Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Cortes, Wilson, C., Hasegawa, Lovick, Nobles, Shewmake and
    Valdez.

Brief History:
     Committee Activity: Business, Trade & Economic Development: 1/29/26.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
           • Requires the Department of Commerce to create an economic
             development and competitiveness strategic plan.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

     Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)

     Background: The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) is the lead
     state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic
     vitality in Washington. Among its legislatively stated responsibilities is to cooperate with
     the Legislature and the Governor in the development and implementation of strategic plans
     for the state's community and economic development efforts.

     The Governor’s Supplemental Operating Budget Appropriations for 2025-2027. The
     Governor’s supplemental 2025-27 budget provisos from $150,000 of Commerce’s base
     budget, to initiate a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan. At
     a minimum, the plan must establish goals and strategies for state-supported economic



     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 6289
     development activities in the state, utilizing analysis of economic and industry data.
     Commerce must inform the Governor and Legislature of its progress by November 1, 2026.

     Summary of Bill: Requiring the Development of an Economic Development Strategy.
     Commerce is required to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness
     strategic plan. At a minimum, the plan must establish goals and strategies for state-
     supported economic development activities in the state, utilizing analysis of economic and
     industry data. The plan must be completed by November 1, 2026, and updated every two
     years thereafter. Completed plans must be delivered to the appropriate committees of the
     Legislature.

     Appropriation: None.

     Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2026.

     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: This bill is about giving Washington a clear,
     shared direction for how we grow our economy. We have many strong economic
     development efforts across the state, but too often they seem disconnected. This bill helps to
     bring those efforts together under one strategic statewide plan so we can be more
     intentional, more coordinated and much more effective. It directs the state to provide
     statewide data-driven economic development and competitive plan. It says clear goals and
     is updated regularly. And all of this matters because our economy is changing and our
     approach needs to be thoughtful, forward-looking and grounded in real information and
     data. At its heart, this legislation is about accountability and opportunity, making sure our
     investments support our workers, our small business, and our large business. It will connect
     communities across the state, so that all Washingtonians can help grow the economy.

     Port districts are economic drivers in their communities, and ports have identified areas
     where state leadership could improve the current economic development mission of ports.
     Lack of available power, limited tools like tax incentives that we use to recruit companies,
     and a challenging regulatory climate are all issues we've identified. Ports look forward to
     working with growers, labor organizations, community members on a state trade strategy.

     It's absolutely critical that the state establishes an economic development strategic plan and
     that the Department of Commerce has sufficient resources to implement a thoughtfully
     crafted, collaboratively developed plan, aligned with regional and local strategies. The bill
     requires the plan to be completed by November 1st of this year, which is too soon. OFM has
     informed the Department that it needs to use existing resources, but considering reductions
     last session, there needs to be a more significant investment in this effort.



Senate Bill Report                             -2-                                         SB 6289
     For many employers, this bill offers a glimmer of hope in the current dismal economic
     climate right. This bill will allow Washington to take a more focused and coordinated
     approach to strengthening our economic competitiveness. Employers hope this strategic
     plan will address some of the key competitiveness issues the state is facing, especially with
     taxes.

     OTHER: The full cost of developing an economic development strategy as delineated in
     the bill is not in the Governor's budget. The Department of Commerce works as a convener
     across economic sectors, assists small and under-resourced businesses, and attracts new
     companies and investments to Washington. It is critical that Washington keeps its
     competitive edge to allow for inclusive economic growth and development through a
     strategic intentional plan at the state level.

     Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Claudia Kauffman, Prime Sponsor; Suzanne Dale
     Estey, Washington Economic Development Association; Amber Carter, Identity Clark
     County; Eric ffitch, Washington Public Ports Association.

     OTHER: Andrea Chartock, Washington State Department of Commerce.

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




Senate Bill Report                             -3-                                        SB 6289


File and source

File

2026-02-04_a33831_d294140_6289-sbr-bte-ta-26.pdf

Size

44,276 bytes

SHA-256

932d586070a4559c1dce547187ae8a9f313d732300198082b0299a3cffc8e869

Our copy

2026-02-04_a33831_d294140_6289-sbr-bte-ta-26.pdf

Original

No public link identified.