Public Works Board.
The Public Works Board (PWB) administers the Public Works Assistance Account and provides financial and technical assistance to local governments in addressing local infrastructure and public works projects by making loans, grants, financing guarantees, and technical assistance available to local governments for these projects.
Emergency Loan Program.
The PWB may make low-interest or interest-free loans or grants to local governments for emergency public works projects. Emergency public works projects are public works projects made necessary by a natural disaster or an immediate and emergent threat to the public health and safety due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. The loans or grants may be used to help fund all or part of an emergency public works project less any reimbursement from certain specified sources.
Broadband Program.
The PWB administers a competitive grant and loan program (Broadband Program) to award funding to eligible applicants in order to promote the expansion of access to broadband service in unserved areas. Grants and loans may be awarded under the Broadband Program to assist in funding acquisition, installation, and construction of middle mile and last mile infrastructure that supports broadband services and to assist in funding strategic planning for deploying broadband service in unserved areas. Eligible applicants include local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities comprised of public entities, limited liability corporations organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access, and incorporated businesses or partnerships.
An applicant for the Broadband Program must provide specific information to the PWB as part of the application process. For instance, an applicant is required to provide evidence that no later than six weeks before submission of the application, the applicant contacted all entities providing broadband service near the proposed project area to ask for each broadband service provider's plan to upgrade broadband service in the project area. Applicants must also provide the broadband service provider's response. Within 30 days of the close of the application process, the PWB must publish on its website the proposed geographic broadband service area and the proposed broadband speeds for each application submitted. An existing broadband service provider may object to an application within 30 days of the publication of the proposed geographic service area.
Prior to awarding funds under the Broadband Program, the PWB must consult with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The UTC must provide to the PWB a technical feasibility assessment for a proposed application. The PWB must consider the UTC's assessment as part of its evaluation of a proposed application.
Public Records.
The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless a record falls within an exemption in the PRA or another statute that exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. There is an exemption under the PRA for certain financial, commercial, and proprietary information. For example, financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses or individuals during application for certain loans or program services are exempt from disclosure.
A pre-application process is created for the Broadband Program. An applicant is required to provide the following information on a pre-application:
The requirement that an applicant to the Broadband Program contact existing broadband service providers is modified to remove the requirement that the contact occur no later than six weeks before submission of the application. The application must include documentation describing the outcome of the existing broadband service providers' written responses to the inquiry regarding their plans to upgrade broadband service made prior to or during the application process.
The PWB must publish on its website for at least 30 days the proposed geographic broadband service area and the proposed speeds for each proposed project during the pre-application period, instead of publishing the information within 30 days of the close of the grant and loan application process. The PWB must publish pre-applications on its website within three businesses days of the close of the pre-application cycle and set an objection period for at least 30 days. The requirement that an existing broadband service provider submit an objection within 30 days of publication of an application is removed.
The following provisions related to the UTC are eliminated:
The PWB may make low-interest or interest-free loans or grants to eligible applicants for emergency public works broadband projects. The PWB must consider prioritizing broadband infrastructure projects that replace existing infrastructure impacted by an emergency. Emergency public works broadband projects include construction, repair, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement to critical broadband infrastructure that has been damaged by a natural disaster or unforeseen events. The loans or grants may be used to help fund all or part of an emergency public works broadband infrastructure project less any reimbursement from certain specified sources.
Financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses or individuals during the application for loans or program services provided by the Broadband Program are exempt from disclosure under the PRA.
The substitute bill makes the following changes to the original bill:
(In support) There has been tremendous attention to building out broadband infrastructure and much money dedicated to it. The PWB has done a lot of good work to check on how the process is going and make the system better. The PWB has done much work in traditional infrastructure. In 2019 the PWB was given authority to do broadband infrastructure. Broadband infrastructure is different than traditional infrastructure in terms of funding, applicants, and legislative intent. Looking for process improvements, the PWB conducted an after-action review, and this bill comes from that review. The PWB needs authority to fund emergency broadband projects. Repairing broadband is critical to the community after a disaster. There is appreciation for the creation of a pre-application period as a way to streamline the process and increase collaboration between applicants and internet service providers.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) The PWB process needs to be more transparent; the whole application should be posted online as some other states require. The PWB should require timely public notice of grant applications so the public can ensure that public funds are not being used to overbuild existing broadband service providers. Transparency is important in administering grant programs, especially those that have an appeal or challenge process. Public Works Board transparency should be expected by the original applicant.
The PWB will hopefully allow private companies to apply for federal grants as well so that federal funds will be spent appropriately and expeditiously. There are additional items that should be added to the pre-application process to make the objection process better. There needs to be a better definition of what constitutes an emergency to ensure that all emergency management groups are working together to rebuild communities.
There is concern with the broad public disclosure exemption in the bill. Public disclosure is critical to public oversight of these projects and making sure that the projects will meet the state broadband speed goals. Funding should go to networks that can meet those speed goals today. The language could prevent the public from verifying that tax dollars are not wasted on inadequate networks. Objectors to applications should also be held publicly accountable.
Courts have been working very hard over the last two years to respond to COVID-19 and improve the ability to conduct operations remotely. There are great disparities in the ability of individuals to access remote services. Courts in urban centers have embraced remote proceedings but this is not happening in rural areas or areas with limited resources that do not have access to reliable broadband. Digital equity is an access to justice issue.
No new changes were recommended.
(In support) Broadband is an essential utility. The State Broadband Office, Community Economic Revitalization Board, and Public Works Board (PWB) are all working hard to ensure broadband is affordable and accessible across the state. This bill will help align these broadband funding programs. Together, they are a powerful force.
This is legislation requested by the PWB. It is based on an after action review that involved 100 participants. The PWB has already made all of the recommended changes that were within their power. These changes will continue to improve the PWB's processes and help connect Washington to broadband funding. The bill will continue to evolve in response to additional feedback.
This bill removes barriers and encourages more participation in the PWB broadband grant and loan program. It improves the application process by creating a pre-application phase and encouraging discussion between applicants and internet service providers, leading to stronger projects. Additionally, it protects sensitive information submitted by applicants by exempting it from the public disclosure requirements.
Permitting the PWB to issue emergency funding to local governments will allow the PWB to quickly respond to community needs and ensure the state's broadband infrastructure is resilient.
The state must be prepared to fully leverage federal funding opportunities for these important infrastructure investments.
(Opposed) None.