RCW 43.330.534
Broadband office—Powers and duties. (Effective until July 1, 2023.)
(1) The office has the power and duty to:
(a) Serve as the central broadband planning body for the state of Washington;
(b) Coordinate with local governments, tribes, public and private entities, nonprofit organizations, and consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities to develop strategies and plans promoting deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access, while protecting proprietary information;
(c) Review existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public and private investments;
(d) Develop, recommend, and implement a statewide plan to encourage cost-effective broadband access and to make recommendations for increased usage, particularly in rural and other unserved areas;
(e) Update the state's broadband goals and definitions for broadband service in unserved areas as technology advances, except that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual speeds less than twenty-five megabits per second download and three megabits per second upload; and
(f) Encourage public-private partnerships to increase deployment and adoption of broadband services and applications.
(2) When developing plans or strategies for broadband deployment, the office must consider:
(a) Partnerships between communities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, local governments, consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities, and public and private entities;
(b) Funding opportunities that provide for the coordination of public, private, state, and federal funds for the purposes of making broadband infrastructure or broadband services available to rural and unserved areas of the state;
(c) Barriers to the deployment, adoption, and utilization of broadband service, including affordability of service and project coordination logistics; and
(d) Requiring minimum broadband service of twenty-five megabits per second download and three megabits per second upload speed, that is scalable to faster service.
(3) The office may assist applicants for the grant and loan program created in RCW 43.155.160 with seeking federal funding or matching grants and other grant opportunities for deploying broadband services.
(4) The office may take all appropriate steps to seek and apply for federal funds for which the office is eligible, and other grants, and accept donations, and must deposit these funds in the statewide broadband account created in RCW 43.155.165.
(5) In carrying out its purpose, the office may collaborate with the utilities and transportation commission, the office of the chief information officer, the department of commerce, the community economic revitalization board, the department of transportation, the public works board, the state librarian, and all other relevant state agencies.
[ 2021 c 258 § 3; 2019 c 365 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2021 c 258: See note following RCW 47.44.160.
Findings—2019 c 365: See note following RCW 43.330.532.
(1) The office has the power and duty to:
(a) Serve as the central broadband planning body for the state of Washington;
(b) Coordinate with local governments, tribes, public and private entities, public housing agencies, nonprofit organizations, and consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities to develop strategies and plans promoting deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access, while protecting proprietary information;
(c) Review existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public and private investments;
(d) Develop, recommend, and implement a statewide plan to encourage cost-effective broadband access and to make recommendations for increased usage, particularly in rural and other unserved areas;
(e) Update the state's broadband goals and definitions for broadband service in unserved areas as technology advances, except that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual speeds less than twenty-five megabits per second download and three megabits per second upload; and
(f) Encourage public-private partnerships to increase deployment and adoption of broadband services and applications.
(2) When developing plans or strategies for broadband deployment, the office must consider:
(a) Partnerships between communities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, local governments, consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities, and public and private entities;
(b) Funding opportunities that provide for the coordination of public, private, state, and federal funds for the purposes of making broadband infrastructure or broadband services available to rural and unserved areas of the state;
(c) Barriers to the deployment, adoption, and utilization of broadband service, including affordability of service and project coordination logistics; and
(d) Requiring minimum broadband service of twenty-five megabits per second download and three megabits per second upload speed, that is scalable to faster service.
(3) The office may assist applicants for the grant and loan program created in RCW 43.155.160, the digital equity opportunity program created in RCW 43.330.412, and the digital equity planning grant program created in RCW 43.330.5393 with seeking federal funding or matching grants and other grant opportunities for deploying or increasing adoption of broadband services.
(4) The office may take all appropriate steps to seek and apply for federal funds for which the office is eligible, and other grants, and accept donations, and must deposit these funds in the statewide broadband account created in RCW 43.155.165.
(5) The office shall coordinate an outreach effort to hard-to-reach communities and low-income communities across the state to provide information about broadband programs available to consumers of these communities. The outreach effort must include, but is not limited to, providing information to applicable communities about the federal lifeline program and other low-income broadband benefit programs. The outreach effort must be reviewed by the office of equity annually. The office may contract with other public or private entities to conduct outreach to communities as provided under this subsection.
(6) In carrying out its purpose, the office may collaborate with the utilities and transportation commission, the office of the chief information officer, the department of commerce, the community economic revitalization board, the department of transportation, the public works board, the state librarian, and all other relevant state agencies.
[ 2022 c 265 § 303; 2021 c 258 § 3; 2019 c 365 § 4.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2022 c 265 §§ 101, 102, 301-305, and 401: See note following RCW 43.330.530.
Short title—Findings—Intent—2022 c 265: See notes following RCW 43.330.539.
Findings—Intent—2021 c 258: See note following RCW 47.44.160.
Findings—2019 c 365: See note following RCW 43.330.532.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.330 - Department of Commerce.
43.330.007 - Management responsibility.
43.330.020 - Department created.
43.330.030 - Director—Appointment—Salary.
43.330.040 - Director powers and duties.
43.330.050 - Community and economic development responsibilities.
43.330.060 - Trade and business responsibilities.
43.330.065 - Identification of countries of strategic importance for international trade relations.
43.330.068 - International companies investing in Washington—Eligibility for excise tax incentives.
43.330.070 - Local development capacity—Training and technical assistance.
43.330.075 - Local government regulation and policy handouts—Technical assistance.
43.330.084 - Washington state quality award—Reimbursement of application fee.
43.330.086 - Contracts with associate development organizations—Schedule of awards.
43.330.094 - Tourism development and promotion account—Promotion of tourism industry.
43.330.100 - Local infrastructure and public facilities—Grants and loans.
43.330.110 - Housing—Energy assistance.
43.330.120 - Growth management.
43.330.125 - Assistance to counties and cities.
43.330.135 - Court-appointed special advocate programs—Funds—Eligibility.
43.330.150 - Fees—Conferences, workshops, training.
43.330.152 - Fees—Service and product delivery areas.
43.330.155 - Community and economic development fee account.
43.330.156 - Fees—Adoption by rule.
43.330.167 - Washington youth and families fund.
43.330.170 - Statewide housing market analysis.
43.330.181 - Office of apple health and homes—Responsibilities.
43.330.184 - Apple health and homes account.
43.330.187 - Rapid permanent supportive housing acquisition and development program.
43.330.190 - Reimbursement of extraordinary criminal justice costs.
43.330.270 - Innovation partnership zone program.
43.330.300 - Financial fraud and identity theft crimes investigation and prosecution program.
43.330.310 - Comprehensive green economy jobs growth initiative—Establishment.
43.330.330 - Funding energy efficiency improvements—Risk reduction mechanisms—Legislative intent.
43.330.340 - Appliance efficiency rebate program.
43.330.360 - Findings—Involvement of state bond authorities in financing energy efficiency projects.
43.330.365 - Electric vehicle incentive account.
43.330.370 - Evergreen jobs initiative.
43.330.409 - Broadband mapping, deployment, and adoption—Reports.
43.330.412 - Community technology opportunity program—Administration—Grant program.
43.330.421 - Advisory group on digital inclusion and technology planning.
43.330.425 - Advisory committee on permanent supportive housing.
43.330.430 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Definitions.
43.330.431 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Trust fund.
43.330.434 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Endowment principles.
43.330.435 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Development of operating plan—Elements.
43.330.436 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Program implementation and administration.
43.330.437 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Rules.
43.330.440 - Multijurisdictional regulatory streamlining projects—Establishment—Reports.
43.330.460 - Washington achieving a better life experience program—Definitions.
43.330.462 - Washington achieving a better life experience program account.
43.330.468 - Washington achieving a better life experience program—Governing board authority.
43.330.480 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program—Definitions.
43.330.482 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program.
43.330.488 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program—Account.
43.330.500 - Life sciences discovery fund.
43.330.502 - Life sciences discovery fund—Grants and contracts by department.
43.330.504 - Life sciences discovery fund—Department powers.
43.330.506 - Life sciences discovery fund—Limitation of liability.
43.330.510 - Keep Washington working statewide work group.
43.330.520 - Military installation incompatible development—Project list—Report.
43.330.530 - Broadband office—Definitions.
43.330.532 - Broadband office—Established—Purpose.
43.330.534 - Broadband office—Powers and duties.
43.330.536 - Broadband office—Goals.
43.330.538 - Broadband office—Reports.
43.330.539 - Broadband office—Digital equity plan.
43.330.5393 - Digital equity planning grant program.
43.330.5395 - Digital equity forum.
43.330.540 - Cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program.
43.330.542 - Environmental justice obligations of the department of commerce.
43.330.545 - Community engagement grants—Law enforcement.
43.330.550 - Employer-supported child care—Technical assistance.
43.330.560 - Office of renewable fuels—Definitions.
43.330.565 - Office of renewable fuels—Established.
43.330.570 - Office of renewable fuels—Duties.
43.330.575 - Renewable fuels accelerator account.
43.330.700 - Findings—Homeless youth.
43.330.702 - Homeless youth—Definitions.
43.330.705 - Homeless youth—Office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs.
43.330.706 - Homeless youth—Data and outcomes measures—Report.
43.330.715 - Homeless youth—Training program.
43.330.717 - Homeless youth—Review of state-funded programs.
43.330.723 - Youth and young adults exiting publicly funded system of care—Flexible funding.
43.330.725 - Youth and young adults exiting publicly funded system of care—System of care grants.
43.330.730 - Finding—2015 c 296.
43.330.735 - Washington small business retirement marketplace.
43.330.740 - Payment of marketplace expenses—Use of private and federal funding.
43.330.745 - Incentive payments.
43.330.750 - Rules—Rule development process.
43.330.760 - Intent—2021 c 64.
43.330.762 - Manufacturing—Goals and strategies—Reports—Manufacturing council.
43.330.765 - Manufacturing—Regional strategies—Grants.
43.330.767 - Manufacturing cluster acceleration account.
43.330.770 - Manufacturing—Workforce innovation sector lead—Reports.
43.330.772 - Subject to appropriation.
43.330.900 - References to director and department.
43.330.902 - Effective date—1993 c 280.
43.330.9021 - Effective date—1994 c 5.