SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5357
As of February 8, 2021
Title: An act relating to establishing and making appropriations for the capital broadband investment acceleration program.
Brief Description: Establishing and making appropriations for the capital broadband investment acceleration program.
Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, King, Wagoner, Wellman and Wilson, L..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/11/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates the Broadband Investment Acceleration Program in the Statewide Broadband Office.
  • Appropriates $200 million in state bond proceeds to the Department of Commerce for the program.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Richard Ramsey (786-7412)
Background:

In 2019, the Legislature enacted 2SSB 5511 establishing the Statewide Broadband Office to encourage, foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state.  The 2019-21 operating budget provided funding for the office through the Department of Commerce.
Summary of Bill:

The Broadband Investment Acceleration Program is created in the Statewide Broadband Office as a competitive grant program to increase broadband access in unserved areas of the state.  Funding must be awarded to match funds required to participate in federal broadband infrastructure programs and priority must be given for projects that serve distressed and rural areas of the state. 

 

Eligible applicants include local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities comprised of public entity members, limited liability corporations organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access, and incorporated businesses or partnerships.

 

No more than 3 percent of the funding may be spent by the Public Works Board, Community Economic Revitalization Board, and the Statewide Broadband Office for administration of the program.  No more than 3 percent of each grant may be expended by the grant recipient for management or administration of the grant.

 

The Department of Commerce is appropriated $200 million of state bond proceeds for this program.
Appropriation: The bill contains an appropriation totaling $200,000,000 from the State Building Construction Account.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2021
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.