U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D–WA) recently introduced the Digital Equity Act of 2019, new legislation aimed at closing the digital divide in communities across the country. If passed, the Digital Equity Act would create new federal investments at the state and local level to increase access to broadband in communities across the nation.

In Washington State, legislators have also introduced legislation aimed at expanding access to broadband. If passed, SB 5511 and HB 1498 would create a statewide broadband office and new funding program. The proposals establish a Broadband Fund competitive grant and loan program managed by the Public Works Board to help promote expanded broadband access to unserved areas across the state. Eligible applicants for the grant and loan program include local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and private companies.

Both the state House and Senate capital budgets assume passage of these bills. Unfortunately, both budgets divert critical infrastructure dollars from the state’s Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) to support the new broadband grants and loans – leaving fewer resources available to local governments for traditional infrastructure projects.

AWC supports Sen. Patty Murray’s Digital Equity legislation and the Washington State Legislature’s aim to expand access to high-speed broadband in unserved areas. However, AWC opposes the diversion of the PWTF’s limited resources to pay for the state’s broadband program. We encourage state legislators to find another funding source for this new program.