Articles about Legislature

Tesla retains advantage in Washington state as effort stalls to expand direct EV sales

The third time was not the charm for a coalition that was pushing to level the playing field for electric… Read More

Rivian, Lucid and other EVs stuck in park by failed effort to change car sales laws in Washington

If you own one of the 3,853 Rivians registered in Washington, odds are you didn’t test drive the electric vehicle… Read More

‘It is not acceptable’: UW computer science program can’t keep up with record demand from undergrads

Before enrolling last fall in the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Mya Baker… Read More

As Washington inks ‘most ambitious’ climate rules in U.S., lawmaker praises tech’s supporting role

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee this week signed into law what many are calling the nation’s most ambitious package of climate… Read More

Will Bezos bounce? Amazon CEO’s departure plan sharpens debate over ‘billionaire tax’ in Wash. state

When Jeff Bezos announced plans to step down as Amazon CEO later this year, critics of a plan to tax… Read More

Legislators steer Washington state toward direct electric vehicle sales, bypassing auto dealers

A bill working its way through the Washington state House would allow makers of electric vehicles (EVs) to sell direct… Read More

Tech workers sound off on Washington state’s proposed ‘billionaire tax’ at first public hearing

Tech workers showed up to a virtual hearing Tuesday to voice their opinion on a proposed tax on Washington state’s… Read More

Washington state authorizes mobile fueling; legislator calls it ‘timely’ as residents practice social distancing

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law this week that makes it easier for companies to provide mobile… Read More

Washington state considers legislation that would protect gaming apps from gambling lawsuits

Washington lawmakers are debating legislation that would shield many of the state’s smartphone game companies from class-action gambling lawsuits. Several… Read More

Washington will create a statewide broadband office to expand internet access

Washington will soon have a dedicated broadband office tasked with expanding internet access to underserved parts of the state. Gov. Jay… Read More

Washington state greenlights delivery robots on sidewalks

Autonomous delivery robots will soon be allowed on Washington state’s sidewalks. On Tuesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill… Read More

Tax hike on Amazon and Microsoft to fund higher ed in Washington state passes legislature

Update May 21: Gov. Jay Inslee signed the education bill into law. I just had the honor of signing HB… Read More

Washington passes ‘strongest clean energy policy’ in nation with carbon neutrality mandate by 2030

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee wants his state to become the green standard in the fight against climate change, and he… Read More

ACLU slams Washington lawmakers for ‘closed-door’ privacy bill negotiations with Big Tech

Consumer and civil rights advocates are up in arms over the status of a data privacy bill in Washington state.… Read More

Washington state considers new broadband program to expand internet access to underserved communities

A bill that would establish a dedicated Broadband Office to expand internet access in Washington state is working its way… Read More

ACLU and Washington state lawmaker clash over data privacy bill backed by Microsoft

Washington is poised to become the second state in the nation to enact data privacy regulations, following the lead of… Read More

Microsoft wants Washington state to double down on infrastructure and privacy

Microsoft will press the Washington state legislature to prioritize privacy legislation and infrastructure improvements this year, according to a blog… Read More

Amazon, Microsoft, Expedia and other tech giants urge Washington state to pass eviction reform

Seattle’s biggest tech companies are throwing their weight behind legislation that would reform how landlords in Washington state handle evictions.… Read More

Drone no-no: State legislation could ban flying over someone else’s property

Flying your drone over another person’s private property could get harder. A bill to forbid privately owned drones from flying… Read More

A no-drone zone for orcas? Killer whales would get 200-yard buffer under proposed law

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill introduced in the Washington Legislature would ban unmanned aerial drones from venturing within 200 yards of… Read More

Washington state lawmakers to hold public talks about self-driving cars

Washington state’s legislators are pondering how to deal with self-driving cars and other futuristic high-tech vehicles. Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon… Read More

Legislation aimed at boosting Washington state’s space industry fizzles out

Two measures that would have lent a hand to Washington state’s fledgling space industry have been stalled in committee and aren’t likely… Read More

Tech leaders support move to let workers openly discuss their pay, in push for gender equity

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state’s Equal Pay Act dates to the 1940s, requiring men and women to receive the same pay… Read More