EFFECT:   Makes the following modifications to the Washington Broadband Assistance Program (Program):

(1) Provides that the Program is established to assist low-income persons with the costs of eligible voice and broadband services rather than to provide low-income persons with reduced rates for those services.

(2) Provides that telecommunications providers determine rates for eligible services and requires the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to determine the amount of reimbursement to telecommunications providers rather than the amount of assistance to to low-income persons.

(3) Eliminates the authority of the UTC to exclude a telecommunications provider from the Program if it determines the costs charged to be excessive or the quality of customer service to be poor.