In one paragraph
Washington's HB 1833, the Spark Act (second substitute, 2026 session), would have authorized the Department of Commerce to run an artificial intelligence grant program paid for by federal funds, gifts, grants and donations deposited in a new Spark Act grant program account. Applications would have been prioritized for ethical-AI commitments, risk analysis, small businesses and statewide impact, and proposals had to include technology shared with the state. The bill appropriated no money. It passed the House 96-1 on February 17, 2026 but stalled in the Senate and died on March 12.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have let businesses, including small businesses, apply for state AI grants if their projects shared technology with the state.
Key provisions
- Department may establish an AI grant program, awarding annually or more often; no award amounts or total funding are set (Sec. 2)
- Application priorities: ethical AI commitments, analysis of product risks, small businesses, statewide impact; proposals must include technology shared with the state that benefits it, such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity or health care (Sec. 2)
- Department may seek input from the AI task force at least yearly through 2027 and pursue federal funds, grants and donations (Sec. 2)
- New Spark Act grant program account in the state treasury; spending authorized by the department director, no appropriation required (Sec. 3)
- Lets the AI task force executive committee direct a subcommittee to advise Commerce at least yearly on Spark Act grant priorities; the task force section still expires June 30, 2027 (Sec. 4)
- Passed House 92-5 in March 2025 (first substitute) and 96-1 on February 17, 2026 (second substitute); Senate Ways & Means took no action March 2; returned to House Rules March 12, 2026; died at adjournment
Latest legislative action
Mar 12, 2026. By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
Sponsors (showing 5 of 33)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Berg | Primary |
| Dolan | Primary |
| Keaton | Primary |
| Paul | Primary |
| Appleton | Cosponsor |
Roll call votes
3rd Reading & Final Passage (#14) Feb 17, 2026
96 yea1 nay1 otherPassed
3rd Reading & Final Passage (#26) Mar 5, 2025
92 yea5 nay1 otherPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error