Statewide Broadband Office.
The Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) is the central broadband planning body for the state, and as such, it is tasked with promoting deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access. Among other duties, the SBO is required to coordinate an outreach effort to hard-to-reach and low-income communities across the state to provide information about available broadband programs, and the outreach effort must be reviewed by the Washington State Office of Equity (Office of Equity) annually. The SBO is tasked with updating the state's broadband goals and definitions for broadband service, except that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual speeds less than 25 megabits per second (mbps) download and 3 mbps upload. In carrying out its purpose, the SBO may collaborate with relevant state agencies.
Washington State Office of Equity.
The Office of Equity serves the purpose of promoting access to equitable opportunities and resources that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide across state government.
Digital Equity Forum.
The Digital Equity Forum (Forum) develops recommendations to advance digital connectivity and advises the SBO on Department of Commerce (Department) digital equity grant programs. In developing its recommendations, among other requirements, the Forum must develop goals that are consistent with the SBO's broadband goals and strengthen public-private partnerships.
The SBO and the Office of Equity are responsible for appointing members of the Forum, providing staff support for the Forum, and transmitting the Forum's recommendations to the Legislature. In making appointments, the SBO and the Office of Equity must prioritize certain types of appointees. A majority of the participating members must appoint an administrative chair for the Forum. Members of the Forum serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Digital Equity Plan.
The SBO, in consultation with the Forum and certain agencies, is required to develop a state Digital Equity Plan (Plan). In developing the Plan, the SBO is required to identify measurable objectives for documenting and promoting digital equity among underserved communities. The SBO was required to submit a report by December 1, 2023, including a description of how the SBO collaborated with key stakeholders to develop the Plan and recommendations to improve broadband adoption.
Digital Equity Opportunity Program.
The purpose of the Digital Equity Opportunity Program, administered by the Department, is to advance broadband adoption and digital equity. In implementing the Digital Equity Opportunity Program, the Department must provide organizational support to digital equity programs and provide grants to community technology programs to advance digital equity and inclusion. The Forum must review grant applications and provide input to the Department regarding the prioritization of applications. In awarding grants, the Department must consider the Forum's input and also consider the extent to which grants would increase the number of students gaining access to greater levels of digital inclusion.
Statewide Broadband Office Duties.
The purpose of the SBO is expanded to include promoting broadband adoption and digital equity. The SBO must coordinate with relevant state agencies and community anchor institutions, in addition to other entities, when developing strategies to promote broadband access, and the SBO must develop strategies to promote broadband adoption.
In setting broadband goals and definitions for broadband service, the state's definition for broadband may not be speeds less than 100 mbps download and 20 mbps upload.
As part of the SBO's outreach efforts, the SBO must request that broadband providers report cost information for retail service, and the SBO must include such information in outreach materials. The SBO must prioritize translation of outreach materials into the three most commonly spoken non-English languages in areas served by the outreach effort. The outreach effort must be reviewed annually by the Forum, instead of by the Office of Equity.
In carrying out its purpose, the SBO must consider collaborating with tribes and relevant state agencies.
Plan Implementation.
The SBO is required to coordinate implementation of the Plan in consultation with relevant state agencies. The SBO must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and every two years thereafter, including an updated version of the Plan and a summary evaluation of progress made in implementing the Plan.
Digital Equity Forum Duties and Membership.
The purpose of the Forum is modified to include developing recommendations related to broadband adoption and digital equity. In addition to existing requirements, when the Forum is developing recommendations, the Forum must also:
The Forum may also consult with the SBO and other relevant agencies on the Plan.
The Office of Equity is not required to appoint members of the Forum, provide staffing for the Forum, or transmit the Forum's recommendations to the Legislature. Instead, the SBO must consult with the Office of Equity, as well as the chair or cochairs of the Forum, on Forum appointments.
The SBO must prioritize appointees representing local agencies, in addition to other priority appointees, and the SBO must also consider appointees representing broadband providers, the technology industry, philanthropy, the health industry, and the legal and justice system. A majority of Forum members may appoint an administrative chair or cochairs, and members of the Forum may receive a stipend for attendance at quarterly meetings. The total number of appointed Forum members should not exceed 25 members, unless it is determined that a larger forum is necessary to ensure adequate representation of underserved communities.
Digital Opportunity Program.
The Digital Equity Opportunity Program is renamed as the Digital Opportunity Program (Program). The Program must provide grants to digital equity programs, instead of community technology programs.
In implementing the Program, to the extent that funds are appropriated, the SBO must provide support to regional coalitions supporting digital equity, and organizational and capacity-building support provided by the SBO must serve the purpose of enabling directories of digital equity program services, community needs assessments, and tracking of lower-cost broadband offerings.
Program applicants must provide certain evidence of local partnership. In awarding grants, the SBO must consider whether the grant furthers the goals of the Plan, opportunities to leverage additional investments, the requirements and intent associated with federal or private funds, and the geographic distribution of students that may benefit from the Program.
The Forum is not required to review grant applications and provide input, but the SBO must share certain Program materials with the Forum on a timely basis and consider the Forum's input.
Definitions.
Definitions for certain terms, including "community anchor institution" and "low-income," are added or modified.
The substitute bill:
(In support) The majority of jobs require digital skills, but only two-thirds of workers have access to the required training in order to succeed. Many areas of the state lack reliable access to affordable broadband. Organizations that provide digital skills training and online safety workshops to rural and low-income communities have experienced a drop in funding across the board, which makes it unsustainable to keep up with the growing needs of Washingtonians. This bill will establish a pathway for oversight of, and access to, these services for generations to come. This bill will allow communities who have been most impacted by a lack of access to technology to be able to collaborate and share solutions, including through the Forum. This bill will promote adoption of best practices and strategies for the use of technology to improve student education and behavioral health outcomes. Reliable broadband represents access to opportunity, but families have to know how to use the internet safely. The bill recognizes that digital inclusion includes basic awareness of online privacy and cybersecurity.
(Other) Some of the bill's requirements, including growing the digital equity planning process, will create costs for the state. This bill does not affect the implementation of federal broadband funds. The state recently lost $15 million in previously expected federal grants for digital equity work.
(In support) Representative Mia Gregerson, prime sponsor; Dr. Shaun Glaze, BBR Academy; Will Booth, Creating Pathways; Tori Emerson, President, Washington State PTA; Sonee Kulaga Wilson Kulaga Wilson, Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council; and Nancy Chang, Legislative District 10 Constituent.