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Bill

HB 1595

Creating a five-year statewide economic development plan.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Barnard and 10 co-sponsors

Washington establishes a mandatory five-year statewide economic development plan to coordinate business growth and job creation efforts across state agencies.

Referred to Appropriations.
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Bill Summary · HB 1595

Legislative bill overview

HB 1595 directs Washington state to develop and implement a comprehensive five-year economic development plan to guide statewide business growth and job creation efforts. The bill has advanced through the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans with a substitute version approved for passage and is now under fiscal review in the Appropriations Committee.

Why is this important

Economic development plans establish priorities and coordinate resources across state agencies, potentially affecting business recruitment, workforce development, and regional growth disparities. The plan's specifics will determine whether it emphasizes job creation in struggling regions, targets particular industries, or addresses workforce training needs—each with different impacts on communities and state budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: The bill's fiscal requirements aren't specified here; opponents may question whether the state should fund comprehensive planning or whether resources should go directly to economic programs
  • Regional equity: Disagreement likely over whether the plan adequately addresses rural versus urban development, or whether it favors certain industries over others
  • Implementation authority: Questions about which agencies lead the plan, how flexible it remains, and whether it creates binding requirements or advisory guidance that may be ignored

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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