Under current Washington law, blockchain means a cryptographically secured, chronological, and decentralized consensus ledger or consensus database maintained via internet, peer-to-peer network, or other similar interaction.

There are various uses and applications of blockchain such as digital currency, online voting, medical records, insurance policies, property and real estate records, and supply chain tracking.

Subject to appropriations, the Washington Blockchain Work Group (work group) is established with the purpose of examining various potential applications for blockchain technology such as computing, banking and other financial services, the real estate transaction process, health care, supply chain management, higher education, and public recordkeeping.

The work group is composed of:

• one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the Senate and the House of Representatives;
• the Lieutenant Governor, or the Lieutenant Governor's designee;
• the director, or the director's designee, for the departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and Financial Institutions and the Consolidated Technology Services Agency; and
• individuals appointed by the Governor that represent specified associations.

Individuals representing other sectors may be invited by the chair, in consultation with the other appointed members of the work group, to participate in an advisory capacity.  Invited representatives are not members of the work group, may not vote, and are not subject to gubernatorial appointment.  There is no limit on the number of invited individuals acting in an advisory capacity.

The work group shall hold its first meeting by August 1, 2022, and elect a chair from its members at that meeting.  A public comment period must be provided at every work group meeting.  Staff support for the work group must be provided by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

The work group must submit a report on recommended policies that will facilitate the development of blockchain applications in Washington to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2023.

The work group dissolves January 1, 2024.

PRO:  Blockchain-technology is being used in various innovative and privacy-preserving applications.  Washington State needs to take advantage of those uses.  Various governments are learning from work groups.  This bill is an important step in facilitating and increasing the opportunity of growth in the technology sector, and promoting dialogue and informed policy decisions.

OTHER:  We support the bill but our office currently lacks resources to provide staff support for the work group.  We would like to provide input to the work group as an appointed member.