State Broadband Office.
The statutory purpose of the Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) is to encourage, foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state to promote innovation, serve the growing needs of Washington's education, healthcare, public safety systems, industries and business, governmental operations, and citizens, and improve broadband accessibility for unserved communities.
Among other duties, the SBO has a duty to serve as the central broadband planning body for the state and to coordinate with local governments, tribes, public and private entities, nonprofit organizations, and utilities to develop strategies to promote deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access. The SBO may assist applicants for broadband grants and loans through the Public Works Board with seeking federal funding or matching grants for deploying broadband services.
The SBO's statutory speed goals for broadband are the following:
Digital Equity Forum.
The Digital Equity Forum (Forum) was established in the 2021 Operating Budget. The stated purpose of the Forum is to develop recommendations to advance digital connectivity in Washington. In developing its recommendations, the Forum must:
The directors of the SBO and the Office of Equity are responsible for appointing participating members of the Forum. In making appointments, the directors must prioritize appointees representing federally recognized tribes, state agencies involved in digital equity, and underserved and unserved communities, including historically disadvantaged communities. Four legislators may serve on the forum in an ex officio capacity. Each member of the Forum shall serve without compensation. The SBO must transmit the Forum's recommendations to the Legislature.
Revised Code of Washington.
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the compilation of all permanent laws now in force. It is a collection of Session Laws (enacted by the Legislature, and signed by the Governor, or enacted via the initiative process), arranged by topic, with amendments added and repealed laws removed. It does not include temporary laws such as appropriations acts.
Community Technology Opportunity Program.
The Community Technology Opportunity Program (CTOP) provided organizational and capacity-building support for community technology programs throughout the state and identified and facilitated the availability of other public and private sources of funds to enhance the purposes of the CTOP and the work of community technology programs. A portion of the CTOP funds were distributed through a competitive grant program. The grants were to be used by community technology programs to provide: (1) training and skill-building opportunities; (2) access to hardware and software; (3) Internet connectivity; (4) digital media literacy; (5) assistance in the adoption of information and communication technologies in low-income and underserved areas of the state; and (6) development of locally relevant content and delivery of vital services through technology. Among other grant application requirements, applicants were required to provide evidence of matching funds equivalent to at least 25 percent of the grant amount. The account used to fund the CTOP was repealed in 2019.
State Digital Equity Plan.
The SBO, in consultation with the Forum, the Utilities and Transportation Commission, and the Department of Social and Health Services, must develop a state digital equity plan. The SBO must seek federal funding for purposes of developing the state digital equity plan. In developing the state digital equity plan, the SBO must identify measurable objectives for documenting and promoting digital equity among underserved communities.
By December 1, 2023, the SBO must submit a report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature, including the following:
Digital Equity Opportunity Program.
The CTOP, administered by the Department of Commerce (Commerce), is renamed to become the Digital Equity Opportunity Program (Opportunity Grant Program). The Opportunity Grant Program is created to advance broadband adoption and digital equity and inclusion through the state.
The Opportunity Grant Program must provide organizational and capacity-building support to digital equity programs throughout the state and additional support for the purpose of: (1) evaluating the impact and efficacy of activities supported by grants awarded under the covered programs; and (2) developing, cataloging, disseminating, and promoting the exchange of best practices in order to achieve digital equity.
The Opportunity Grant Program includes a competitive grant program to provide grants for community technology programs to advance digital equity and digital inclusion by providing: (1) training and skill-building opportunities; (2) access to hardware and software; (3) Internet connectivity; (4) digital media literacy; (5) assistance in the adoption of information and communication technologies in low-income and underserved areas of the state; and (6) development of locally relevant content and delivery of vital services through technology; and (7) technical support. The requirement to provide matching funds is eliminated.
The Forum must review grant applications to provide input to Commerce regarding the prioritization of applications in awarding grants. Commerce must consider the input provided by the Forum and the extent to which the mix of grants awarded would increase the number of prekindergarten through grade 12 students gaining access to greater levels of digital inclusion.
Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.
Commerce must establish a Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (Planning Grant Program) to provide grants to local governments, institutions of higher education, workforce development councils, or other entities to fund the development of a digital equity plan for a discrete geographic region of the state.
Commerce must evaluate and rank applications using both objective and subjective criteria. Priority must be given for applications accompanied by express support from certain nonprofit organizations, public development authorities, federally recognized Indian tribes, or other certain community partners that intend to use community-based participatory action research methods. Commerce must also consider input from the Forum in awarding grants and how the grants awarded would increase the number of prekindergarten through grade 12 students gaining greater access to digital inclusion. Commerce must develop criteria for the contents of digital equity plans and may adopt rules as necessary to implement the Planning Grant Program.
State Broadband Office.
The statutory purpose of the SBO is modified to include improving broadband accessibility and adoption for unserved and underserved communities and populations. Public housing agencies are added to the statutory list of entities with which the SBO must coordinate to develop strategies to promote deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access.
In addition to applicants for Public Works Board broadband grants and loans, the SBO may assist applicants for the Opportunity Grant Program and the Planning Grant Program with seeking federal funds or matching grants for deploying or increasing adoption of broadband services.
The SBO must coordinate outreach to hard-to-reach and low-income communities across the state to provide information about broadband programs available to consumers in these communities. The outreach effort must be reviewed by the Office of Equity annually.
Digital Equity Forum.
The Forum is codified in the RCW. A provision is added that allows funds to be used to compensate, for any work done in connection with the Forum, additional persons with lived experience navigating barriers to digital connectivity.
Digital Equity Account.
The Digital Equity Account is created in the State Treasury. The Legislature may appropriate moneys in the account only for the purposes of the Broadband Assistance Program, the AIDE Program, Opportunity Grant Program, and the Planning Grant Program.
Miscellaneous Provisions.
The secretaries or directors of the DSHS, the UTC, Commerce, and the SBO, or their designee, may take any action necessary to ensure that the provisions of the act are implemented by the relevant effective dates.
A severability and a null and void clause are included.
(In support) Despite investment, policy changes, and help from the federal government, there is still work to do to close the digital divide. People still struggle to access and use the internet and participate in society. New, funded programs are needed to address access and digital literacy. The programs in the bill have been discussed for two years. Each one does its part to help give Washingtonians the resources they need to get online wherever they are. The Digital Equity Forum is also codified in the bill. Lack of devices and slow Internet speeds are interfering with the ability of individuals to learn digital literacy. Many of these individuals are Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), and students at Title I schools across the nation. This bill is a step in the right direction to close the digital divide, including by expanding affordability and infrastructure.
The bill should also include a focus on structural racism and people with lived experience. There is disparity regarding access to the Internet based on race between urban and rural communities. This bill will help address these issues by creating new programs. This bill should address structural racism by making it easier for Black and BIPOC individuals to apply for assistance. Underserved and unserved definitions should be expanded to include additional groups. Raising minimum speeds is important to serve families of color and larger families with many devices. Support for digital navigators, including those already providing services in public libraries, is also critical.
With the pandemic putting focus on the digital divide, there is also opportunity to create new ways to support communities at the state level. The SBO could take on this work in a more coordinated way. Low-income families and refugee and immigrant families may have difficulty getting access to computers; programs that help address this can be very helpful to people seeking education and change their lives and their families' lives.
Those without access were left out during the pandemic. The digital divide for low-income families means less access to food, shelter, and personal safety. It also means limited or no access to COVID-19 resources. It has also meant getting behind in school. Continued lack of access means continued exclusion from vital services, employment, and the ability to navigate life. Prekindergarten digital equity programs should be included in the program in order to recognize the importance of access to education for early learners. This is especially important in the context of school closures due to COVID-19. Ongoing financial investment is critical. Bridging the digital divide is imperative for education equity for all students.
(Opposed) There are concerns with Part 2 of the bill because it does not recognize significant federal investments, such as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which has been widely utilized. A new program would be duplicative of this and other federal programs. Part 2 of the bill is also against federal law due to a prohibition on state regulation of wireless rates.
(Other) This bill works to continue efforts to increase internet access and affordability for historically marginalized people as well as underserved and underserved people. COVID-19 has shown huge disparities across the state and what universal broadband would mean for all. Courts could be considered an anchor institution for purposes of the legislation. Offering individuals access to the courts remotely benefits everyone. Currently, courts in rural areas are not able to offer court services remotely and this is unjust for those who do not have access to those services much more conveniently and at lower cost. This bill is an important step forward to strengthening digital literacy and equity. There are some definitions and mechanisms that may cause confusion in its implementation. The proposal is also preempted by federal law. The AIDE Program should focus on institutions that are not eligible for federal funds.
(In support) Closing the digital equity divide is one of the biggest issues of our time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing the divide will mean ensuring everyone has digital literacy, appropriate and affordable devices, and digital security. Infrastructure is not the only tool necessary to ensure broadband access. Other tools are needed to ensure rural communities, communities of color, low-income communities, and other groups hit hard by the pandemic can access affordable broadband. The programs proposed in this bill would serve as a critical companion to current investments in broadband infrastructure. The bill would help all Washingtonians access digital opportunities and will increase the effective use of government services. Individuals and businesses would benefit from closing current gaps in broadband service. Assisting businesses will also help grow local economies.
(Opposed) Wireless providers have concerns regarding the language that would compel providers to participate in the new Broadband Access Program. The Federal Communications Act preempts this section. Allowing voluntary participation would alleviate this concern around federal preemption.
(Other) None.