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.

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 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 Statewide Broadband Office is required to develop a project evaluation process to assist in coordination among state broadband infrastructure funders to maximize federal funding.  The Statewide Broadband Office, the Public Works Board, and the Community Economic Revitalization Board are encouraged to enter into a memorandum of understanding outlining how this coordination will take place.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  We have experienced significant problems delivering education to our kids and young people.  The Statewide Broadband Office is situated to pull down federal funds.  We urge you to put as much funding as possible to pulling down the federal match.  Telehealth is dependent upon high quality, fast computer access made possible by broadband.  During the pandemic, libraries have remained open, but they have been unable to grow to meet need; this is much the same with K-12 schools.  Private carriers invest $2 billion each year.  Washington needs to do a better job leveraging federal funds.  Broadband is so important to students in rural areas.  It can also help businesses in rural areas, yet much of the state does not have access.

OTHER:  While we cannot support the bill because of its fiscal impact, and it was not included in the Governor's budget, we very much support the emphasis.  The state's single biggest barrier to expanding access to broadband is the access to federal funds.  This is an unprecedented time to get federal funding.  We need $30 million to $50 million per year to match available federal funds.