WA HCR4402

Declares Washington's long-term economic competitiveness and security depends on secure and sustainable supply chains for critical materials used in advanced computing, clean energy, transportation, and defense technologies.

Commits the Washington State House of Representatives to becoming a center of excellence for research in sustainable substitutes to critical materials and to fostering collaboration through the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER).

Encourages PNWER to develop a long-term strategy facilitating cooperation on resilient supply chain solutions, including research in alternatives to mining and refining.

Directs Washington legislators attending PNWER meetings with state taxpayer funding to support regional cooperation on secure and sustainable critical materials supply chains.

References JCDREAM (Joint Center for Deployment and Research in Earth Abundant Materials), established in 2015, which found Washington's economy is disproportionately dependent on critical mineral supply chains controlled by potentially adversarial countries.