Washington State

Washington Lawmakers Consider AI Bargaining Rights for Public Employees

Washington state lawmakers are set to revisit the possibility of requiring government employers to bargain with public sector unions over the adoption of artificial intelligence technology. House Bill 1622 aims to mandate this bargaining if AI affects wages or worker performance evaluations.

The bill, championed by Rep. Lisa Parshley, previously stalled in the Senate after initial support in the House. Opponents, including business groups and city officials, argued the measure would skew the balance of power and potentially delay workplace innovation.

‘Public sector bargaining covers wages, hours and working conditions and agencies are already required to bargain any change that touches those areas, but without legislation, that bargaining happens after implementation,’ said Washington State Labor Council President April Sims. ‘With legislation like House Bill 1622, it would happen before.’

A September directive from the state’s Office of Financial Management requires union-represented state employees six months’ notice of any use of generative AI if it ‘will result in a consequential change in employee wages, hours, or working conditions.’

The debate reflects a broader conversation about a federal versus state approach to regulating AI. While President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to sue states that pass AI regulations, Washington state’s focus is on incorporating worker input into the process. This includes establishing human review for systems used in employment-related decisions.

Washington’s Quantum Ambitions: A Strategic Push for Growth

Washington faces a quantum paradox: despite possessing key ingredients – including tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, the hardware leader IonQ, and world-class research at UW and PNNL – it risks falling behind states actively advancing quantum technology. Experts emphasize the need for a faster strategy and targeted investment to bolster the region’s quantum ecosystem.

Panelists at a recent Tech Alliance event in Seattle highlighted the urgency. Representative Stephanie Barnard advocated for a $100 million injection, stating, “It takes courage. It takes dynamic leadership. It takes a political will to recognize the needs of this state.” However, budgetary constraints pose a significant challenge, with Beau Perschbacher, policy advisor to Governor Bob Ferguson, noting that substantial new investments are currently “very hard” to secure.

States like Illinois – with Governor J.B. Pritzker earmarking $500 million – and Colorado are aggressively pursuing quantum strategy and workforce investment. Suggestions include shifting priorities away from established industry subsidies and exploring options such as a $300 million investment in quantum research over 10 years.

University of Washington professor Charles Marcus emphasized the importance of a focused approach, stating, “Quantum researchers will ‘go to where the funding is and where the environment favors success.’” He called for industry support of a dedicated master’s program to generate a skilled workforce. Marcus described the quantum race as one “in which, if you’re standing still, you’re going backwards.”

Laura Ruderman, CEO of Tech Alliance, suggested scaling existing efforts rather than initiating new initiatives. She referenced the Northwest Quantum Nexus (NQN), founded in 2019 by UW, Microsoft, and PNNL. IonQ CMO Margaret Arakawa urged leaders to publicly prioritize quantum and engage private funding partners, pointing to states with visible leadership in the field.

Washington State Cities Halt License Plate Reader Use Following Data Access Ruling

Washington state municipalities have ceased using license plate reader (ALPR) cameras following a court decision granting public access to the data collected by the technology.

Police departments in Stanwood and Sedro-Woolley deactivated their cameras prior to the November 6th ruling by the Skagit County Superior Court. Subsequently, Redmond, Lynnwood, and Skamania County also turned off their cameras. This action follows a legal challenge spearheaded by Jose Rodriguez, a tattoo artist, who sought access to ALPR photos and data from approximately 50 public agencies across the state.

Rodriguez argued that the use of ALPR cameras constitutes an unwarranted tracking system. Judge Elizabeth Neidzwski ruled that the images, generated by Flock Safety cameras, are considered public records because they are used to advance governmental objectives and are funded by the cities to prevent disclosure. Flock Safety maintains that privacy concerns regarding its technology are unfounded, asserting that the cameras capture images of vehicles on public roads where there is no expectation of privacy.

The controversy highlights broader concerns about mass surveillance. Research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights revealed that 18 Washington police agencies had accessed Flock Safety databases in 2023, with investigations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Instances, such as a wrongful detention in Redmond due to a mistaken alert generated by a Flock camera, have further fueled criticism of the technology’s accuracy and potential for misuse.

Washington State Sees EV Demand Surge Amid Rebate Deadline

Seattle is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle sales as the federal tax credits for EVs expire, creating a sense of urgency among consumers. Rachel Walen, sales manager at a local Hyundai dealership, reports a busy weekend, attributing the increased interest to a last-minute push to secure specific vehicle configurations before the deadline. August sales of new EVs in the U.S. jumped nearly 18% compared to the previous year, while used EV purchases spiked 59%, reaching 10% of all new vehicle sales – a U.S. record.

Despite the federal incentives disappearing on September 30th, Washington State is stepping in with initiatives like ZEVergreen, aimed at further promoting zero-emission vehicles. The state’s efforts are bolstered by a history of aggressive climate goals, including a law mandating all new vehicles sold starting in 2035 to be zero-emission. Washington’s commitment extends to fighting federal efforts to nullify California’s stricter vehicle emissions standards.

A significant factor driving the demand is the loophole regarding EV leases, which saw no income restrictions. As tax credits for buyers expired, a wave of 3-year-old used EVs is anticipated to hit the market as leases expire. While some forecasts predict lower EV sales in the U.S. due to recent policy changes, global EV sales are expected to increase by 24% this year, largely driven by China. Despite these fluctuations, research indicates that a large percentage of current EV owners intend to remain electric for their next vehicle purchase.