Committee hears bill to create state supply‑chain competitiveness program for public and tribal ports

The Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee on March 19 heard Senate Bill 5,649, which would establish a Washington State Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program to provide grants and loans to public ports and tribal ports for freight and supply‑chain projects, staff and sponsors said.

The bill would require the Washington State Department of Transportation to set program priorities, collaborate with supply‑chain stakeholders to develop performance metrics and publish a list of eligible project types. Projects must be included in a port’s freight development plan and align with six programmatic guideline goals, including operations, efficiency, market access and mitigation for impacted communities, staff told the committee.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, summarized the measure for members: “Senate Bill 5,649 creates a…