Wash. House Panel Clears Blockchain Group

A Washington state bill to establish a blockchain study group cleared the House Community and Economic Development committee at a livestreamed Tuesday meeting. The committee voted 11-2 for SB-5544 with an amendment changing aspects of the proposed work group, including membership and stated purposes. Authors of the House and Senate versions of the bill proposed the changes, said Chair Cindy Ryu (D). Voting no, Rep. Vicki Kraft (R) said she’s worried about the state getting too far ahead of the rest of the country, with the proposed work group possibly leading to state laws that will be federally preempted. Rep. Rob Chase (R), the other no vote, said, “I don’t like voting for something I don’t really understand.” SB-5544 earlier passed the Senate but will need to return due to the House changes. Also, the committee heard testimony on SB-5715 to update the state broadband definition to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, from 25/3 Mbps now. "Some of us would want it to be even faster than that," Ryu said: "Baby steps first." The committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on SB-5715, which unanimously passed the Senate last week (see 2202160019).