S-0506.1

SENATE BILL 5577

BySenators Torres, Boehnke, Dozier, and King

AN ACT Relating to establishing and making appropriations for the capital broadband investment acceleration program; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The capital broadband investment acceleration program is created in the statewide broadband office as established in RCW 43.330.532. Funding appropriated for the program shall be used for the statewide broadband office to establish a competitive grant program to increase broadband access in unserved areas of the state, as defined in RCW 43.330.530. Funding must be awarded to match funds required to participate in the federal broadband infrastructure programs. Priority for grants must be for projects that serve distressed areas and rural counties as defined in RCW 43.168.020.

(2) Eligible applicants for grants awarded under this section include:

(a) Local governments;

(b) Tribes;

(c) Nonprofit organizations;

(d) Cooperative associations;

(e) Multiparty entities comprised of public entity members;

(f) Limited liability corporations organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access; and

(g) Incorporated businesses or partnerships.

(3) No more than three percent of the funds appropriated for the program may be expended by the statewide broadband office, the public works board, and the community economic revitalization board, for administration of the program.

(4) No more than three percent of each grant may be expended by the grant recipient for management or administration of the grant.

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