SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1701

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: In 2008 the Department of Information Services (DIS) was directed to convene a High-Speed Internet Strategy Work Group (the work group) and work with it to develop a statewide High-Speed Internet Deployment and Adoption Strategy. DIS and the work group released the strategy in December of 2008. Included in the strategy were recommendations that maps and inventories of the state's high-speed internet infrastructure be developed, that the state seek funding in the form of grants and donations from a variety of entities, and that DIS be authorized to coordinate the entire deployment and adoption strategy.

In 2008 Congress passed the Broadband Data Improvement Act (Act). Part of the Act directed the Secretary of Commerce to make competitive grants available to states to support identification and tracking of availability and adoption of broadband services. Any competitive grants awarded would require a 20 percent match of nonfederal funding.

The Act also required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide eligible entities with electronic access to aggregate data collected by the FCC from broadband service providers. "Eligible entity" is defined as an entity that is (1) either a state agency or instrumentality of the state, a nonprofit organization, or certain independent agencies; and (2) the single eligible entity designated by the state to receive such a grant.

Summary of Bill: DIS is designated as an eligible entity for purposes of the federal Broadband Data Improvement Act.

DIS may receive federal funds made available for broadband or high-speed internet purposes. Any funds received must be spent consistent with federal and state laws and regulations.

DIS must implement a high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategy on behalf of the state, subject to available federal or state funding. Implementation of the strategy may include (1) developing an interactive website to allow residents to self-report where high-speed internet is available; (2) soliciting gifts, grants, and bequests for high-speed internet; and (3) conducting a survey of high-speed internet owned or leased by state agencies and creating a geographic information system map.

DIS may adopt rules as necessary to implement a high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategy.

DIS is authorized to conduct a competitive bidding process to procure a geographic information system map of high-speed internet infrastructure, service availability, and adoption based on publicly available data collected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). DIS may procure this map by purchasing a completed map from a third party or working directly with the FCC to accept publicly available high-speed internet data.

DIS may accept high-speed internet infrastructure information from telecommunications or high-speed internet service providers that is voluntarily provided.