Panel hears SPARK Act to fund AI economic-development grants, staff estimate modest administrative costs
Substitute HB 1833 would create the SPARK Act grant program in Commerce to promote shared AI technologies that benefit the state; Commerce staff estimate one FTE (~$160,000/year) to administer the program and a typical grant program could cost roughly $660,000–$1.6 million per year depending on appropriations and donations.
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Committee staff briefed members on substitute House Bill 1833, known in the briefing as the SPARK Act, which would create a Commerce-administered grant program to promote economic development around innovative uses of artificial intelligence. Jessica Van Horn said eligible applicants must propose technology that will be shared with the state and that Commerce should prioritize factors listed in the bill report, consult the AG's AI task force at least annually through 2027, and report to the legislature on program results every two years.
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