Bill > HB1441

This bill modifies Washington state's existing broadband infrastructure funding program to include a new category of grants and loans for repair and replacement of public works broadband projects. The bill allows the Public Works Board to provide low-interest or interest-free loans and grants to eligible applicants (including local governments, tribes, nonprofits, cooperatives, and businesses) for repairing, reconstructing, replacing, rehabilitating, or improving critical broadband infrastructure damaged by unforeseen events. The funding can cover up to 50% of a project's total cost (or up to 90% in financially distressed areas), with individual project grants not exceeding $2 million (or $5 million in certain circumstances). The bill streamlines the application process for repair and replace projects by exempting them from the detailed preapplication, objection, and evaluation procedures that apply to new broadband expansion projects. Importantly, the board is prohibited from funding a new provider to overbuild an existing infrastructure provider, and any funding must subtract any available reimbursements from federal disaster funds, state emergency funds, insurance settlements, or litigation. The goal is to help communities quickly restore and improve critical broadband infrastructure that has been unexpectedly damaged or needs urgent replacement.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1441&Year=2025&Initiative=false