Proposed Substitute House Bill 2313 (H-2770.1) — Furthering Digital Equity and Opportunity in Washington
Summary
A staff summary of Proposed Substitute House Bill 2313 (H-2770.1) for the House Innovation, Community & Economic Development, and Veterans Committee, by Representative Ryu, dated January 21, 2024, followed by the bill text. The original bill expands the purpose and duties of the Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) regarding digital equity. The proposed substitute removes certain digital equity duties from the SBO, transfers responsibility for the SBO's outreach efforts to the Washington State Office of Equity, and requires the Office of Equity to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2024. The bill text is titled as an act relating to furthering digital equity and opportunity in Washington.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Proposed Substitute House Bill 2313 (H-2770.1) — Furthering Digital Equity and Opportunity in Washington.”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2024-01-26-a31736-d266986-2313-pshb-h-2770-1-01-23-24-2c87b32af9/
, SHA-256 0b92f99faea687da89ec149c29c1aed3dacea71f04251fe775ea17b7a753896a.Full text
Proposed Substitute House Bill 2313 (H-2770.1)
House Innovation, Community & Economic Development, and Veterans Committee
By Representative Ryu
Original Bill:
The bill expands the purpose and duties of the Statewide Broadband Office (SBO) regarding digital equity, including
requiring the SBO to monitor implementation of the Digital Equity Plan. The bill also establishes that the Digital Equity
Forum is not required to advise the SBO regarding certain digital equity grant programs. The bill makes changes to the
purpose and application selection criteria of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's technology grant
program.
Proposed Substitute House Bill (H-2770.1) compared to the Original Bill:
• Removes certain duties relating to digital equity from the Statewide Broadband Office (SBO);
• Transfers responsibility for the SBO's outreach efforts to hard-to-reach and low-income communities to the
Washington State Office of Equity (Office of Equity);
• Requires the Office of Equity to develop and monitor implementation of the state Digital Equity Plan, building
upon progress made by the SBO in developing a state Digital Equity Plan;
• Requires the Office of Equity to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2024,
including an evaluation of existing digital equity initiatives, policies, and public and private investments;
• Requires the Office of Equity to make publicly available, on an ongoing basis, an overview of the progress made
in promoting digital equity; and
• Requires the Department of Commerce to consult the Office of Equity in implementing the Digital Equity
Planning Grant Program and the Digital Equity Opportunity Program.
Staff: Emily Poole
Date: January 21, 2024
BILL REQUEST - CODE REVISER'S OFFICE
BILL REQ. #: H-2770.1/24
ATTY/TYPIST: KS:jlb
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Furthering digital equity and opportunity in
Washington.
1 AN ACT Relating to furthering digital equity and opportunity in
2 Washington; amending RCW 43.330.532, 43.330.534, 43.330.539,
3 43.330.5393, 43.330.5395, 43.330.412, 28A.650.065, and 43.060.010;
4 reenacting and amending RCW 43.330.530; adding a new section to
5 chapter 43.06D RCW; and recodifying RCW 43.330.539.
6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
7 Sec. 1. RCW 43.330.530 and 2022 c 265 s 301 and 2022 c 237 s 2
8 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
9 The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and
10 RCW 43.330.532 through ((43.330.538,)) 43.330.5395 and 43.330.412((,
11 43.330.5393, and 43.330.5395)) unless the context clearly requires
12 otherwise.
13 (1)(a) "Advanced telecommunications capability" means, without
14 regard to any transmission media or technology, high-speed, switched,
15 broadband telecommunications capability that enables users to
16 originate and receive high quality voice, data, graphics, and video
17 telecommunications using any technology.
18 (b) "Advanced telecommunications capability" does not include
19 access to a technology that delivers transmission speeds below the
20 minimum download and upload speeds provided in the definition of
21 broadband in this section.
Code Rev/KS:jlb 1 H-2770.1/24
1 (2) "Aging individual" means an individual 55 years of age or
2 older.
3 (3) "Board" means the public works board established in RCW
4 43.155.030.
5 (4) "Broadband" or "broadband service" means any service
6 providing advanced telecommunications capability and internet access
7 with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 megabits per
8 second download and 20 megabits per second upload.
9 (5) "Broadband adoption" means the process by which an individual
10 obtains daily access and ability to use the internet:
11 (a) At a speed, quality, price, and capacity necessary for the
12 individual to accomplish common tasks, such that the access qualifies
13 as an advanced telecommunications capability;
14 (b) Providing individuals with the digital skills necessary to
15 participate fully and safely online;
16 (c) On a device connected to the internet and other advanced
17 telecommunications services via a secure and convenient network, with
18 associated end-user broadband infrastructure equipment such as wifi
19 mesh router or repeaters to enable the device to adequately use the
20 internet network; and
21 (d) With technical support and digital navigation assistance to
22 enable continuity of service and equipment use and utilization.
23 (6) "Broadband infrastructure" means networks of deployed
24 telecommunications equipment and technologies necessary to provide
25 high-speed internet access and other advanced telecommunications
26 services to end users.
27 (7) "Department" means the department of commerce.
28 (8) "Digital equity" means the condition in which individuals and
29 communities in Washington have the information technology capacity
30 that is needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the
31 economy.
32 (9)(a) "Digital inclusion" means the activities that are
33 necessary to ensure that all individuals in Washington have access
34 to, and the use of, affordable information and communication
35 technologies including, but not limited to:
36 (i) Reliable broadband internet service;
37 (ii) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user;
38 and
39 (iii) Applications and online content designed to enable and
40 encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.
Code Rev/KS:jlb 2 H-2770.1/24
1 (b) "Digital inclusion" also includes obtaining access to digital
2 literacy training, the provision of quality technical support, and
3 obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and
4 cybersecurity.
5 (10) "Digital literacy" means the skills associated with using
6 technology to enable users to use information and communications
7 technologies to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate
8 information.
9 (11) "Last mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure
10 that serves as the final connection from a broadband service
11 provider's network to the end-use customer's on-premises
12 telecommunications equipment.
13 (12) "Local government" includes cities, towns, counties,
14 municipal corporations, public port districts, public utility
15 districts, quasi-municipal corporations, special purpose districts,
16 and multiparty entities comprised of public entity members.
17 (13) "Low-income" means households ((as defined by the department
18 of social and health services, provided that the definition may not
19 exceed the higher of 80 percent of area median household income or))
20 with a household income that does not exceed 200 percent of the
21 federal poverty level or that does not exceed the self-sufficiency
22 standard as determined by the University of Washington's self-
23 sufficiency calculator.
24 (14) "Middle mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure
25 that links a broadband service provider's core network infrastructure
26 to last mile infrastructure.
27 (15) "Office" means the governor's statewide broadband office
28 established in RCW 43.330.532.
29 (16) "Tribe" means any federally recognized Indian tribe whose
30 traditional lands and territories included parts of Washington.
31 (17) "Underserved population" means any of the following:
32 (a) Individuals who live in low-income households;
33 (b) Aging individuals;
34 (c) Incarcerated individuals;
35 (d) Veterans;
36 (e) Individuals with disabilities;
37 (f) Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals
38 who are English learners or who have low levels of literacy;
39 (g) Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority
40 group;
Code Rev/KS:jlb 3 H-2770.1/24
1 (h) Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area;
2 (i) ((Children and youth)) Dependents in foster care; or
3 (j) Individuals experiencing housing instability.
4 (18) "Unserved areas" means areas of Washington in which
5 households and businesses lack access to adequate, reliable, and
6 affordable broadband service, as defined by the office.
7 Sec. 2. RCW 43.330.532 and 2022 c 265 s 302 are each amended to
8 read as follows:
9 (1) The governor's statewide broadband office is established. The
10 director of the office must be appointed by the governor. The office
11 may employ staff necessary to carry out the office's duties as
12 prescribed by chapter 365, Laws of 2019, subject to the availability
13 of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose.
14 (2) The purpose of the office is to encourage, foster, develop,
15 and improve affordable, quality broadband and broadband adoption and
16 digital equity within the state in order to:
17 (a) Drive job creation, promote innovation, improve economic
18 vitality, and expand markets for Washington businesses;
19 (b) Serve the ongoing and growing needs of Washington's education
20 systems, health care systems, public safety systems, transportation
21 systems, industries and business, governmental operations, and
22 citizens; and
23 (c) Improve broadband accessibility and adoption for unserved and
24 underserved communities and populations.
25 Sec. 3. RCW 43.330.534 and 2022 c 265 s 303 are each amended to
26 read as follows:
27 (1) The office has the power and duty to:
28 (a) Serve as the central broadband planning body for the state of
29 Washington;
30 (b) Coordinate with relevant state agencies, local governments,
31 tribes, public and private entities, public housing agencies,
32 nonprofit organizations, and consumer-owned and investor-owned
33 utilities to develop strategies and plans promoting deployment of
34 broadband infrastructure and greater broadband access and broadband
35 adoption, while protecting proprietary information;
36 (c) Review existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public
37 and private investments;
Code Rev/KS:jlb 4 H-2770.1/24
1 (d) Develop, recommend, and implement a statewide plan to
2 encourage cost-effective broadband access and to make recommendations
3 for increased usage, particularly in rural and other unserved areas;
4 (e) Update the state's broadband goals and definitions for
5 broadband service in unserved areas as technology advances, except
6 that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual
7 speeds less than ((twenty-five)) 100 megabits per second download and
8 ((three)) 20 megabits per second upload; and
9 (f) Encourage public-private partnerships to increase deployment
10 and adoption of broadband services and applications.
11 (2) When developing plans or strategies for broadband deployment,
12 the office must consider:
13 (a) Partnerships between communities, tribes, nonprofit
14 organizations, local governments, consumer-owned and investor-owned
15 utilities, and public and private entities;
16 (b) Funding opportunities that provide for the coordination of
17 public, private, state, and federal funds for the purposes of making
18 broadband infrastructure or broadband services available to rural and
19 unserved areas of the state;
20 (c) Barriers to the deployment, adoption, and utilization of
21 broadband service, including affordability of service and project
22 coordination logistics; and
23 (d) Requiring minimum broadband service of ((twenty-five)) 100
24 megabits per second download and ((three)) 20 megabits per second
25 upload speed, that is scalable to faster service.
26 (3) The office may assist applicants for the grant and loan
27 program created in RCW 43.155.160, the digital equity opportunity
28 program created in RCW 43.330.412, and the digital equity planning
29 grant program created in RCW 43.330.5393 with seeking federal funding
30 or matching grants and other grant opportunities for deploying or
31 increasing adoption of broadband services.
32 (4) The office may take all appropriate steps to seek and apply
33 for federal funds for which the office is eligible, and other grants,
34 and accept donations, and must deposit these funds in the statewide
35 broadband account created in RCW 43.155.165.
36 (5) ((The office shall coordinate an outreach effort to hard-to-
37 reach communities and low-income communities across the state to
38 provide information about broadband programs available to consumers
39 of these communities. The outreach effort must include, but is not
40 limited to, providing information to applicable communities about the
Code Rev/KS:jlb 5 H-2770.1/24
1 federal lifeline program and other low-income broadband benefit
2 programs. The outreach effort must be reviewed by the office of
3 equity annually. The office may contract with other public or private
4 entities to conduct outreach to communities as provided under this
5 subsection.
6 (6))) In carrying out its purpose, the office ((may)) must
7 collaborate with federally recognized tribes and all relevant state
8 agencies including, but not limited to, the utilities and
9 transportation commission, ((the office of the chief information
10 officer,)) the department of commerce, the community economic
11 revitalization board, the department of transportation, the public
12 works board, the state librarian, ((and all other relevant state
13 agencies)) the Washington state office of equity, the office of the
14 superintendent of public instruction, and the consolidated technology
15 services agency.
16 Sec. 4. RCW 43.330.539 and 2022 c 265 s 201 are each amended to
17 read as follows:
18 (1) The office shall coordinate an outreach effort to hard-to-
19 reach communities and low-income communities across the state to
20 provide information about broadband and digital equity programs
21 available to consumers of these communities and assist consumers in
22 enrolling in these programs. The outreach effort must include, but is
23 not limited to, providing information to applicable communities about
24 the federal lifeline program and other low-income broadband benefit
25 programs. The outreach effort must be reviewed by the office
26 annually. The office may coordinate or contract with other public or
27 private entities to conduct outreach to communities and assist
28 consumers in program enrollment as provided under this subsection.
29 (2) The office, in consultation with the digital equity forum,
30 the utilities and transportation commission, ((and)) the statewide
31 broadband office, the department of social and health services, and
32 other relevant state agencies, must develop and monitor
33 implementation of a state digital equity plan.
34 (a) ((The office must seek any available federal funding for
35 purposes of developing and implementing the state digital equity
36 plan.)) The development of the state digital equity plan must build
37 upon the progress made by the statewide broadband office in
38 developing a state digital equity plan.
Code Rev/KS:jlb 6 H-2770.1/24
1 (b) The state digital equity plan must include such elements as
2 the office determines are necessary to leverage federal funding.
3 (((2))) (3) In developing the plan, the office must identify
4 measurable objectives for documenting and promoting digital equity
5 among underserved communities located in the state.
6 (((3))) (4) By December 1, ((2023)) 2024, the office must submit
7 a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the
8 legislature, including the following:
9 (a) The digital equity plan described in subsection (((1))) (2)
10 of this section and measurable objectives described in subsection
11 (((2))) (3) of this section;
12 (b) A description of how the office collaborated with the
13 membership of the digital equity forum, state agencies, and key
14 ((stakeholders)) partners to develop the plan including, but not
15 limited to, the following:
16 (i) Community anchor institutions;
17 (ii) Local governments;
18 (iii) Local educational agencies;
19 (iv) Entities that carry out workforce development programs; and
20 (v) Broadband service providers;
21 (c) A description of federal funding available to advance digital
22 equity in the state, including any available information on the
23 extent to which state residents have enrolled in the affordable
24 connectivity program through an approved provider; ((and))
25 (d) An evaluation of existing state digital equity initiatives,
26 policies, and public and private investments, including a recommended
27 model for future infrastructure and outreach investments; and
28 (e) Recommendations of additional state law or policy that can be
29 targeted to help improve broadband adoption and affordability for
30 state residents. This may include recommendations of ongoing
31 subsidies that the state can provide to low-income individuals and
32 community anchor institutions, as well as identification of revenue
33 sources that other states or jurisdictions have developed to fund
34 such subsidies or discounted rates.
35 (((4) For the purpose of this section, "office" means the
36 statewide broadband office established in RCW 43.330.532.)) (5) The
37 office must make publicly available, on an ongoing basis, an overview
38 of the progress made in promoting digital equity among underserved
39 communities located in the state, according to the measurable
40 objectives identified in the digital equity plan. The overview must
Code Rev/KS:jlb 7 H-2770.1/24
1 include a description of the successes and remaining challenges of
2 promoting digital equity among specific types of underserved
3 populations, as defined in RCW 43.330.530.
4 Sec. 5. RCW 43.330.5393 and 2022 c 265 s 305 are each amended to
5 read as follows:
6 (1) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this
7 specific purpose, the department shall establish a digital equity
8 planning grant program.
9 (2)(a) This program must provide grants to local governments,
10 institutions of higher education, workforce development councils, or
11 other entities to fund the development of a digital equity plan for a
12 discrete geographic region of the state. Only the director or the
13 director's designee may authorize expenditures.
14 (b) Priority must be given for grant applications:
15 (i) Accompanied by express support from community or
16 neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations, public development
17 authorities, federally recognized Indian tribes in the state, or
18 other community partners and partners from the categories of
19 institutions identified in RCW 43.330.421; and
20 (ii) That intend to use community-based participatory action
21 research methods as a part of the proposed plan.
22 (3) An applicant must submit an application to the department in
23 order to be eligible for funding under this section.
24 (4) ((The digital equity forum shall review grant applications
25 and provide input to the department regarding the prioritization of
26 applications in awarding grants among eligible applicants under the
27 program.
28 (5))) The department must:
29 (a) Pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section, evaluate and
30 rank applications ((using)) in accordance with program guidelines,
31 developed in consultation with the Washington state office of equity,
32 that use objective criteria such as the number of underserved
33 populations served and subjective criteria such as the degree of
34 support and engagement evidenced by the community who will be served;
35 and
36 (b) ((Consider the input provided by the forum, as provided in
37 subsection (4) of this section, in awarding grants under the digital
38 equity planning grant program; and
Code Rev/KS:jlb 8 H-2770.1/24
1 (c))) Consider the extent to which the mix of grants awarded
2 would increase in the number of prekindergarten through 12th grade
3 students gaining access to greater levels of digital inclusion as a
4 factor in awarding grants under the digital equity planning grant
5 program.
6 (((6))) (5) The department shall develop criteria for what the
7 digital equity plans must include.
8 (((7))) (6) The department may adopt rules to implement this
9 section.
10 Sec. 6. RCW 43.330.5395 and 2022 c 265 s 306 are each amended to
11 read as follows:
12 (1) The Washington digital equity forum is established for the
13 purpose of developing recommendations to advance digital
14 connectivity, broadband adoption, and digital equity in Washington
15 state ((and advising the statewide broadband office on the digital
16 equity opportunity program as provided under RCW 43.330.412 and the
17 digital equity planning grant program as provided under RCW
18 43.330.5393)).
19 (2) In developing its recommendations to advance digital
20 connectivity, broadband adoption, and digital equity, the forum must:
21 (a) Develop goals that are consistent with the goals of the
22 governor's statewide broadband office, as provided in RCW 43.330.536;
23 (b) Strengthen public-private partnerships, cooperatives, and
24 other partnerships that promote digital connectivity, broadband
25 adoption, and digital equity;
26 (c) Solicit public input through public hearings or informational
27 sessions;
28 (d) Work to increase collaboration and communication between
29 local, state, and federal governments and agencies; and
30 (e) Recommend opportunities for sustainable digital equity
31 funding, including reforms to current universal service mechanisms.
32 (3) The directors of the governor's statewide broadband office
33 and the Washington state office of equity are responsible for
34 appointing participating members of the digital equity forum and no
35 appointment may be made unless each director concurs in the
36 appointment. In making appointments, the directors must prioritize
37 appointees representing:
38 (a) Federally recognized tribes;
39 (b) State and local agencies involved in digital equity; and
Code Rev/KS:jlb 9 H-2770.1/24
1 (c) Underserved and unserved communities, including historically
2 disadvantaged communities.
3 (4) A majority of the ((participating)) members appointed by the
4 directors ((must)) may appoint an administrative chair or cochairs
5 for the forum.
6 (5) In addition to members appointed by the directors, four
7 legislators may serve on the digital equity forum in an ex officio
8 capacity. Legislative participants must be appointed as follows:
9 (a) The speaker of the house of representatives must appoint one
10 member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of
11 representatives; and
12 (b) The president of the senate must appoint one member from each
13 of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
14 (6)(a) Funds appropriated to the forum may be used to compensate,
15 for any work done in connection with the forum, additional persons
16 who have lived experience navigating barriers to digital connectivity
17 and digital equity.
18 (b) Each member of the digital equity forum shall serve without
19 compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized
20 in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
21 (7) Staff for the digital equity forum must be provided by the
22 governor's statewide broadband office and the Washington state office
23 of equity. The governor's statewide broadband office and the
24 Washington state office of equity are jointly responsible for
25 transmitting the recommendations of the digital equity forum to the
26 legislature, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, by October 28, 2025, and
27 every odd-numbered year thereafter.
28 Sec. 7. RCW 43.330.412 and 2022 c 265 s 304 are each amended to
29 read as follows:
30 The digital equity opportunity program is created to advance
31 broadband adoption and digital equity and inclusion throughout the
32 state. The digital equity opportunity program must be administered by
33 the department. The department may contract for services in order to
34 carry out the department's obligations under this section.
35 (1) In implementing the digital equity opportunity program the
36 director must, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose:
37 (a) Provide organizational and capacity building support to
38 digital equity programs throughout the state and additional support
39 for the purpose of:
Code Rev/KS:jlb 10 H-2770.1/24
1 (i) Evaluating the impact and efficacy of activities supported by
2 grants awarded under the covered programs; and
3 (ii) Developing, cataloging, disseminating, and promoting the
4 exchange of best practices, with respect to and independent of the
5 covered programs, in order to achieve digital equity. After July 1,
6 2024, no more than 15 percent of funds received by the director for
7 the program may be expended on these functions;
8 (b) Establish a competitive grant program and provide grants to
9 ((community technology)) digital equity programs to advance digital
10 equity and digital inclusion by providing:
11 (i) Training and skill-building opportunities;
12 (ii) Access to hardware and software, including online service
13 costs such as application and software;
14 (iii) Internet connectivity;
15 (iv) Digital media literacy and cybersecurity training;
16 (v) Assistance in the adoption of information and communication
17 technologies for low-income and underserved populations of the state;
18 (vi) Development of locally relevant content and delivery of
19 vital services through technology; and
20 (vii) Technical support;
21 (c) Collaborate with the Washington state office of equity and
22 broadband ((stakeholders)) partners, including broadband action teams
23 across the state, in implementing the program as provided under this
24 subsection; and
25 (d) For the purposes of this section, include wireless meshed
26 network technology.
27 (2) Grant applicants must:
28 (a) Provide evidence that the applicant is a nonprofit entity or
29 a public entity that is working in partnership with a nonprofit
30 entity;
31 (b) Define the geographic area or population to be served;
32 (c) Include in the application the results of a needs assessment
33 addressing, in the geographic area or among the population to be
34 served: The impact of inadequacies in technology access or knowledge,
35 barriers faced, and services needed;
36 (d) Explain in detail the strategy for addressing the needs
37 identified and an implementation plan including objectives, tasks,
38 and benchmarks for the applicant and the role that other
39 organizations will play in assisting the applicant's efforts;
Code Rev/KS:jlb 11 H-2770.1/24
1 (e) Provide evidence that funds applied for, if received, will be
2 used to provide effective delivery of ((community technology))
3 digital equity services in alignment with the goals of this program
4 and to increase the applicant's level of effort beyond the current
5 level; and
6 (f) Comply with such other requirements as the director
7 establishes.
8 (3) ((The digital equity forum shall review grant applications
9 and provide input to the director regarding the prioritization of
10 applications in awarding grants among eligible applicants under the
11 program.
12 (4))) In awarding grants under the digital equity opportunity
13 program created in this section, the director must:
14 (a) Consider the ((input provided by the digital equity forum, as
15 provided in subsection (3) of this section, in awarding grants))
16 opportunity to leverage additional federal and private investment;
17 and
18 (b) Consider the extent to which the mix of grants awarded would
19 increase in the number of prekindergarten through 12th grade students
20 gaining access to greater levels of digital inclusion as a factor
21 ((in awarding grants)).
22 (((5))) (4) The director may use no more than 10 percent of funds
23 received for the digital equity opportunity program to cover
24 administrative expenses.
25 (((6))) (5) The director must establish expected program outcomes
26 for each grant recipient and must require grant recipients to provide
27 an annual accounting of program outcomes.
28 Sec. 8. RCW 28A.650.065 and 2021 c 301 s 4 are each amended to
29 read as follows:
30 (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this
31 specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public
32 instruction shall develop and administer a technology grant program,
33 as described in this section, to advance the following objectives:
34 (a) Attain or maintain a universal 1:1 student to learning device
35 ratio;
36 (b) Expand technical support and training of school and district
37 staff in using technology to support student learning; and
Code Rev/KS:jlb 12 H-2770.1/24
1 (c) Develop district-based and school-based capacity to assist
2 students and their families in accessing and using technology to
3 support student learning.
4 (2) The following entities, individually or in cooperation, may
5 apply to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for a
6 grant under this section: A public school as defined in RCW
7 28A.150.010; a school district; an educational service district; the
8 Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth; and the state
9 school for the blind.
10 (3) At a minimum, grant applications must include:
11 (a) The applicant's technology plan for accomplishing the goals
12 of the grant program, the applicant's student demographics, including
13 the percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals,
14 and any specialized technology needs of the applicant's students,
15 such as students with disabilities and English learners who may need
16 adaptive or assistive technologies; and
17 (b) A description of preexisting programs and funding sources
18 used by the applicant to provide learning devices to students, staff,
19 or both.
20 (((4) When ranking and selecting applicants, the office of the
21 superintendent of public instruction must prioritize both of the
22 following:
23 (a) Applicants without preexisting programs to provide a device
24 for every student and that have 30 percent or more students eligible
25 for free and reduced-price meals; and
26 (b) Applicants with students who have specialized technology
27 needs.))
28 Sec. 9. RCW 43.06D.010 and 2020 c 332 s 2 are each amended to
29 read as follows:
30 The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter
31 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
32 (1) "Agency" means every state executive office, agency,
33 department, or commission.
34 (2) "Aging individual" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
35 (3) "Broadband" or "broadband service" have the meanings defined
36 in RCW 43.330.530.
37 (4) "Broadband adoption" has the meaning defined in RCW
38 43.330.530.
Code Rev/KS:jlb 13 H-2770.1/24
1 (5) "Community anchor institution" means a public school, a
2 public housing authority, a library, a medical or health care
3 provider, a community college or other institution of higher
4 education, a state library agency, or other nonprofit or governmental
5 community support organization for purposes of broadband connectivity
6 or facilitating use of broadband service by underserved populations.
7 (6) "Digital equity" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
8 (7) "Director" means the director of the Washington state office
9 of equity.
10 (((3))) (8) "Disaggregated data" means data that has been broken
11 down by appropriate subcategories.
12 (((4))) (9) "Equity lens" means providing consideration to the
13 characteristics listed in RCW 49.60.030, as well as immigration
14 status and language access, to evaluate the equitable impacts of an
15 agency's policy or program.
16 (((5))) (10) "Local government" has the meaning defined in RCW
17 43.330.530.
18 (11) "Low-income" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
19 (12) "Office" means the Washington state office of equity.
20 (13) "Underserved population" has the meaning defined in RCW
21 43.330.530.
22 NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. RCW 43.330.539 is recodified as a section
23 in chapter 43.06D RCW.
--- END ---
Code Rev/KS:jlb 14 H-2770.1/24
File and source
- File
- 2024-01-26_a31736_d266986_2313-pshb-h-2770-1-01-23-24.pdf
- Size
- 230,267 bytes
- SHA-256
- 0b92f99faea687da89ec149c29c1aed3dacea71f04251fe775ea17b7a753896a
- Original
- No public link identified.