As introduced, HB 1673 (Rep. Cindy Ryu, D–Shoreline), updates and streamlines the broadband infrastructure grants and loan program within the Public Works Board and establishes an emergency broadband grant and loan fund. The bill has since been significantly amended to require that prior to submitting an application, applicants must demonstrate:

• The final location and description of the project;
• Evidence that the proposed infrastructure will be capable of scaling to greater download and upload speeds;
• The number of households that will gain access to broadband as a result of the project, or that broadband access will be upgraded;
• The estimated cost of retail services to end users;
• Proposed upload and download speeds;
• Evidence of significant community institutions that will benefit from the proposed project;
• Anticipated economic, educational, health, or public benefit;
• If available, a description of the applicant's user adoption assistance program and efforts to promote the use of newly available broadband services created by the project;
• The estimated total cost of the project;
• Other sources of funding for the project that will supplement;
• Any grant or loan award;
• A demonstration of the project's long-term sustainability, including the applicant's financial soundness, organizational capacity, and technical expertise;
• A strategic plan to maintain long-term operation of the infrastructure;
• If applicable, documentation describing the outcome of the broadband service providers' written responses to the inquiry made prior to or during the preapplication phase; and
•  Any additional information requested by the board.

AWC testified in support of HB 1673 in the House Community & Economic Development committee.

Date to remember

HB 1673 will be heard in the House Capital Budget committee on Tuesday, February 1 at 1:30 pm.