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Bill

SB 5619

Establishing a cybersecurity governance framework within state government.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 4 co-sponsors

SB 5619 creates a statewide cybersecurity governance structure requiring Washington state agencies to implement coordinated security standards and accountability mechanisms.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 5619

Legislative bill overview

SB 5619 establishes a formal cybersecurity governance framework for Washington State government operations. The bill creates organizational structures, policies, and accountability mechanisms to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across state agencies and protect critical government systems and data.

Why is this important

State government systems manage sensitive citizen data, control critical infrastructure coordination, and support essential services. A coordinated cybersecurity framework reduces vulnerabilities to cyberattacks that could disrupt services, expose personal information, or compromise government operations. This is increasingly urgent as cyber threats to government entities have escalated nationally.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Establishing new governance structures and cybersecurity standards across all state agencies requires funding; some may argue resources should go directly to IT upgrades instead of administrative overhead
  • Operational burden: New compliance requirements and reporting structures may slow agency decision-making and create administrative complexity, particularly for smaller agencies with limited IT staff
  • Scope and authority: Questions about whether the framework gives sufficient enforcement power to coordinate compliance across independent agencies, or whether it's merely advisory without real teeth

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

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