Bill > SB5400

This bill establishes the Washington Local News Sustainability Program to support local journalism by creating a grant program and funding mechanism. The program will provide grants to eligible news journalism providers, including newspapers and digital platforms, to support the employment of journalists covering civic affairs in underserved communities. To be eligible, news organizations must meet specific criteria, such as employing at least three news journalists in Washington state per quarter and creating original local content. The bill introduces a new local journalism investment surcharge on large social media platforms and search engines with annual gross income over $5 million, which will generate funds for the program. The surcharge is 1.22% of gross income, with a maximum annual contribution of $6 million per platform. The legislation emphasizes the critical role of local journalism in maintaining a healthy democracy, highlighting the importance of ethnic media and the challenges faced by local news outlets, such as significant declines in advertising revenue and newsroom staff. By supporting local news organizations, the bill aims to strengthen community understanding, civic engagement, and access to information about local issues.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5400&Year=2025&Initiative=false