Finds that there has been only minimal competitive entry into the facilities-based video programming market since Washington's franchising requirements were first enacted.

Finds that the cable franchise requirements and associated build-out requirements have acted as a barrier to entry to many new facilities-based entrants, because time-to-market and reasonable cost of entry are critical for new entrants seeking to compete with the cable incumbents.

Provides that, to remove legal uncertainty under state law with respect to the authority of competitive cable service providers and video service providers to use the public rights-of-way to the extent the cable franchise requirements do not apply, and to promote competitive entry by all competitive cable service providers and video service providers, the state of Washington can and should provide a state-issued authorization for competitive cable service providers and video service providers to deploy their systems and provide cable service and video service to residents of the state. This state-issued grant will allow all competitive cable service providers and video service providers to move forward in making the significant investments required to provide new services and competition for video programming.