HB 2579, which would tax telephone service subscribers to promote and fund public media broadcasters in Washington and digital equity efforts, failed to pass out of its house of origin. AWC thanks the member cities who provided us with feedback on the bill.

AWC seeks feedback on new tax to support public media and digital equity

January 26, 2026

A new bill before the House would tax telephone service subscribers to promote and fund public media broadcasters in Washington and digital equity efforts while preempting local jurisdictions from levying a similar tax.

HB 2579, introduced by Rep. Chris Stearns (D–Auburn), would impose a 20-cent-per-month tax to support two new grant programs in the Department of Commerce.

The bulk of the revenue from the new “public media broadcaster and digital equity tax,” which wireless and land line telephone service providers would be required to collect, would fund a public media program prioritizing nonprofit, nonreligious community, public radio, or television broadcasters in the state that have a larger scale and impact, among other criteria.

The bill directs 85% of that funding to broadcasters with a budget above $1 million, capped at 8% of their annual operating expenses or $1.5 million, whichever is greater. The other 15% would go to eligible broadcasters with a hyper-local audience.

Other revenue from the tax would fund a digital equity program to facilitate greater use of broadband service by underserved populations and engage and educate communities about artificial intelligence and online safety, among other efforts.

AWC supports access to public media and efforts to advance digital equity but has concerns about the potential city impacts of the bill’s local preemption provision. We ask AWC members to review the legislation and send us feedback and suggested improvements to the legislation.

Date to remember

HB 2579 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee on Friday, January 30, at 10:30 am.