HB 1239-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Declares an intent of the legislature to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications services in rural areas of the state, and in furtherance thereof, to provide tax exemptions and credits.

     Finds that it is in the public interest of all residents of the state to ensure that advanced telecommunications services are deployed in rural areas of the state so that the rural areas of the state may serve as areas for economic development, reduce use of the public highways by encouraging telecommuting through the use of advanced services, and to benefit the environment of the state.

     Declares that, as used in this act:

     (1) "Rural areas of the state" means those areas that are both (a) outside the limits of any incorporated city of the first class, and (b) outside of a corridor in the counties of Snohomish, King, and Pierce, the width of which corridor is three miles on either side of Interstate 5.

     (2) "Telecommunications company" is defined as provided in RCW 80.04.010 and includes competitive telecommunications companies as classified under RCW 80.36.320, radio communications service companies, and cable television service companies.