SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5715
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Environment, Energy & Technology, February 2, 2022
Title: An act relating to modifying the definition of broadband or broadband service.
Brief Description: Modifying the definition of broadband or broadband service.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Sheldon, Randall and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Environment, Energy & Technology: 1/26/22, 2/02/22 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Revises the definition of broadband or broadband service to mean any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload rather than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
  • Removes the specification in the definition of unserved areas that the state's definition of broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Carlyle, Chair; Lovelett, Vice Chair; Das, Fortunato, Liias, Lovick, Nguyen, Sheldon, Stanford and Wellman.
Staff: Angela Kleis (786-7469)
Background:

In 2019, the Statewide Governor's Broadband Office (office) was established with the purpose to encourage, foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state.
 
Under current law, broadband or broadband service means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload.
 
Unserved areas means areas of Washington in which households and businesses lack access to broadband service, as defined by the office, except that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
Summary of Bill:

The definition of broadband or broadband service is revised to mean the provision of any service providing advance telecommunications capability and Internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload rather than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
 
In the definition of unserved areas, the restriction that the state's definition of broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  All Washington residents deserve access to affordable, reliable broadband—this bill will help make this a reality.  We want to make sure definitions align with federal program requirements.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Lisa Wellman, Prime Sponsor; George Caan, WPUDA; Brandy DeLange, Assoc. of Washington Cities.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.