BILL REQ. #:  H-1265.1 

Read first time 01/27/09.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the department of information services to engage in high-speed internet activities; adding new sections to chapter 43.105 RCW; and repealing RCW 43.105.350.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.105 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall implement a high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategy on behalf of the state.
     (2) The department may accept aggregated data from providers of telecommunications or high-speed internet infrastructure for the purposes of creating a geographic information system map of the current state of high-speed internet infrastructure and service availability and adoption.
     (3) The department may solicit and receive gifts, grants, and bequests for high-speed internet deployment and adoption efforts.
     (4) The department may create an interactive web site to allow residents to self-report whether high-speed internet is available at their home or residence and at what speed.
     (5) The department may adopt rules as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.105 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department is designated an eligible entity for purposes of the broadband data improvement act, P.L. 110-385.
     (2) The department is authorized to receive federal funds made available for broadband or high-speed internet purposes according to the provisions of the acts of congress making the funds available. Funds must be expended in accordance with federal and state law and any conditions contingent in the grant of those funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   RCW 43.105.350 (Request for information from providers -- Limitation) and 2008 c 262 s 3 are each repealed.