HB 1498, establishes the Governor’s statewide broadband office to encourage and improve access to affordable, quality broadband across the state. The legislation also creates a $25 million competitive grant and loan program managed by the Public Works Board to help promote expanded access. Cities support the efforts to increase access to broadband to help drive job creation and assist the underserved parts of our state.

However, AWC has concerns that the bill will divert resources from the Pubic Works Assistance Account to pay for the new programs. The Governor’s proposal includes diverting $7.5 million from the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) to the new broadband grants and loans. Additionally, the new program is open to additional applicants including ports, tribes, and private parties.

AWC has recommended that money not be diverted away from traditional infrastructure funding efforts and that any funding that is diverted should be dedicated to the entities currently eligible to use the PWTF instead of the expanded eligible entities.

Dates to remember

HB 1498 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, January 30 at 8:30 am. A live feed or an archived video of the hearing can be found on the TVW website.