HB 1336, sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen (D–Bainbridge Island), creates and expands authority for local governments, including public utility districts, ports, second-class cities, towns, and counties, to provide retail telecommunication services.

As we previously reported, AWC staff worked closely with Rep. Hansen to remove first-class and code cities from the legislation as they already have this authority. However, second-class cities and towns do not have explicit authority to provide retail telecommunication services. HB 1336 expands authority to these jurisdictions to support all communities who are unserved and underserved. Now more than ever, our cities and constituents understand just how vital is access to broadband.

AWC has supported the bill as it moved through committee and floor action, and is appreciative of Rep. Hansen’s leadership in championing public broadband infrastructure. We encourage cities to contact their legislators in support of HB 1336 as it awaits floor action in the Senate.