A broadband bill passed the Legislature, picking up amendments along the way.

AWC has been closely tracking HB 1673 (Rep. Cindy Ryu, D–Shoreline), which updates and streamlines the broadband infrastructure grants and loan program within the Public Works Board and establishes an emergency broadband grant and loan fund. As the bill made its way through the House, it picked up various amendments, which we wrote about here.

In the Senate, it was further amended to direct the Public Works Board to prioritize emergency public works projects that replace existing infrastructure damaged by an unforeseen event and not award funds to a new provider to overbuild the existing provider.

HB 1673 was finally passed on a near-unanimous vote in its house of origin. The bill thus cleared the Legislature and heads now to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

AWC supported this legislation, noting the importance of broadband to the economic vitality of Washington’s cities and towns.