AI Frontier Institute

Creating an artificial intelligence grant program.

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Second Substitute House Bill 1833 (Washington, 2026 Regular Session) has not been enacted. Its official status is engrossed: it passed the House 96-1 on 2026-02-17, advanced out of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee with an amendment, had a Senate Ways & Means hearing, and was returned to the House Rules Committee on 2026-03-12. If enacted, it would do the following. Sec. 1 states legislative findings that investing in AI can boost the economy and help with problems such as wildfires, cybersecurity and public health. Sec. 2 would let the Department of Commerce establish the "spark act grant program" to promote economic development through innovative uses of AI. The department could ask the AI task force for input at least once a year through 2027 to identify state priorities. In evaluating applications it would prioritize applicants committed to ethical AI use, applicants that have analyzed their product's risks, small businesses, and projects with statewide impact. Grants could be awarded annually or more often. To be eligible, a proposal must include technology that will be shared with the state and provide a state benefit, such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity or health care advancements. The department could seek federal funds and other grants, accept donations, list relevant federal grants in its grant inventory under RCW 43.330.260, and adopt rules. Sec. 2 also defines "artificial intelligence." Sec. 3 would create the spark act grant program account in the state treasurer's custody. It would hold federal funds, gifts, grants and donations, and could be spent only on the program, including administrative costs. Only the department director or a designee could authorize spending. The account would be subject to allotment under chapter 43.88 RCW, but spending would not require an appropriation. Sec. 4 would amend the uncodified 2024 c 163 s 2, which governs the AI task force. It would let the executive committee direct a subcommittee to give Commerce input on grant priorities at least once a year, and it would add a task force topic on opportunities to support AI innovation through grants and incentives. It would also set the section to expire June 30, 2027. Sec. 5 provides the short title "spark act."

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