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WA HB2739
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/20/2026
Primary Sponsor
Monica Stonier
Click for details
AI Summary
- Authorizes $6 billion in general obligation bonds to fund scientific research in Washington, with no more than $1 billion issued per calendar year starting in 2027
- Creates the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce to award competitive grants to public and private research entities for biomedical research, disease prevention, climate/weather research, emerging technologies, and other scientific fields
- Establishes an 11-member research council appointed by the Commerce Director, with a majority being scientists, to set priorities and determine grant awards through scientific peer review
- Prioritizes funding for research that replaces federal funding cuts from 2025, citing projected losses of hundreds of millions of dollars to Washington's public research universities
- Requires voter approval at the next general election; limits administrative costs to 5% of funds and requires annual reporting to the legislature beginning December 1, 2028
Legislative Description
Sustaining life-saving and prosperity-building scientific research in Washington by establishing the Washington institute for scientific advancement.
Last Action
Referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
2/24/2026
Committee Referrals
Postsecondary Education & Workforce2/24/2026
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans2/20/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available