Committee Hears Bill to Create Washington Supply‑Chain Competiveness Infrastructure Program

The Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee on Feb. 14 heard testimony on House Bill 1860, which would create a state Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program to provide grants and loans to public and tribal ports for freight and port‑adjacent projects.

Rep. Reed, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the measure is intended to remove “barriers and bottlenecks to goods movement” that raise costs and deter investment. “The supply chain competitiveness improvement program allows investments to overcome this challenge by funding both port and port adjacent infrastructure,” she said.

The bill would require the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to set program priorities, collaborate with identified supply‑chain stakeholders to develop performance metrics, and publish an eligible project list tied to freight…