House Bill 1503 — Digital Equity and Opportunity, State of Washington (2025 Regular Session)
Summary
House Bill 1503, version H-0430.2, of the State of Washington 69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session, by Representatives Gregerson, Ryu, Ortiz-Self, among others, read first time January 22, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans. The act is titled as relating to furthering digital equity and opportunity in Washington state. Section 1 reaffirms findings made in section 102, chapter 265, Laws of 2022, and Section 2 reenacts and amends RCW 43.330.530, which defines terms including broadband, digital equity and digital inclusion. The bill provides that the office of equity staffs the digital equity forum and transmits its recommendations to the legislature by October 28, 2025, and every odd-numbered year thereafter.
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“House Bill 1503 — Digital Equity and Opportunity, State of Washington (2025 Regular Session).”
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H-0430.2
HOUSE BILL 1503
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Gregerson, Ryu, Ortiz-Self, Berry, Peterson, Reed,
Goodman, Ormsby, Parshley, Macri, Ramel, Hill, and Bergquist
Read first time 01/22/25. Referred to Committee on Technology,
Economic Development, & Veterans.
1 AN ACT Relating to furthering digital equity and opportunity in
2 Washington state; amending RCW 43.330.532, 43.330.534, 43.330.536,
3 43.330.539, and 43.330.5395; reenacting and amending RCW 43.330.530;
4 adding new sections to chapter 43.06D RCW; creating a new section;
5 and recodifying RCW 43.330.539 and 43.330.5395.
6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
7 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature reaffirms the findings
8 made in section 102, chapter 265, Laws of 2022, in particular the
9 findings that access to the internet is essential to participating in
10 modern day society; the cost of being online continues to be
11 unaffordable for many people in both rural and urban areas; and that,
12 across the state, there is a lack of affordable plans, barriers to
13 enrolling in appropriate broadband plans, and barriers to fully
14 utilizing the opportunities that broadband offers.
15 The legislature further reaffirms its intent to broaden access to
16 the internet, the appropriate devices, and the skills to operate
17 online safely and effectively so that all people in Washington can
18 fully participate in our society, democracy, and economy by expanding
19 assistance and support programs offered in the state.
20 To support the state's efforts in providing access to the
21 internet and the skills to effectively and safely utilize it, the
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1 legislature intends to support existing cross-agency collaboration,
2 in particular between the department of commerce and the office of
3 equity. The legislature intends to facilitate this collaboration, in
4 which the department of commerce has primary responsibility for
5 increasing access to broadband and related infrastructure, and the
6 office of equity has primary responsibility for increasing digital
7 equity by facilitating the provision of digital devices and services
8 to individuals and communities in Washington.
9 Sec. 2. RCW 43.330.530 and 2022 c 265 s 301 and 2022 c 237 s 2
10 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
11 The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and
12 RCW 43.330.532 through 43.330.538, 43.330.412, and 43.330.5393((, and
13 43.330.5395)) unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
14 (1)(a) "Advanced telecommunications capability" means, without
15 regard to any transmission media or technology, high-speed, switched,
16 broadband telecommunications capability that enables users to
17 originate and receive high quality voice, data, graphics, and video
18 telecommunications using any technology.
19 (b) "Advanced telecommunications capability" does not include
20 access to a technology that delivers transmission speeds below the
21 minimum download and upload speeds provided in the definition of
22 broadband in this section.
23 (2) "Aging individual" means an individual 55 years of age or
24 older.
25 (3) "Board" means the public works board established in RCW
26 43.155.030.
27 (4) "Broadband" or "broadband service" means any service
28 providing advanced telecommunications capability and internet access
29 with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 megabits per
30 second download and 20 megabits per second upload.
31 (5) "Broadband adoption" means the process by which an individual
32 obtains daily access to and the ability to use the internet:
33 (a) At a speed, quality, price, and capacity necessary for the
34 individual to accomplish common tasks, such that the access qualifies
35 as an advanced telecommunications capability;
36 (b) Providing individuals with the digital skills necessary to
37 participate fully and safely online;
38 (c) On a device connected to the internet and other advanced
39 telecommunications services via a secure and convenient network, with
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1 associated end-user broadband infrastructure equipment such as wifi
2 mesh router or repeaters to enable the device to adequately use the
3 internet network; and
4 (d) With technical support and digital navigation assistance to
5 enable continuity of service and equipment use and utilization.
6 (6) "Broadband infrastructure" means networks of deployed
7 telecommunications equipment and technologies necessary to provide
8 high-speed internet access and other advanced telecommunications
9 services to end users.
10 (7) "Community anchor institution" means a public school, a
11 public housing authority, a library, a medical or health care
12 provider, a community college or other institution of higher
13 education, a state library agency, or other nonprofit or governmental
14 community support organization for the purposes of broadband
15 connectivity or facilitating use of broadband service by underserved
16 populations.
17 (8) "Department" means the department of commerce.
18 (((8))) (9) "Digital equity" means the condition in which
19 individuals and communities in Washington have the information
20 technology capacity that is needed for full participation in society,
21 democracy, and the economy.
22 (((9))) (10)(a) "Digital inclusion" means the activities that are
23 necessary to ensure that all individuals in Washington have access
24 to, and the use of, affordable information and communication
25 technologies including, but not limited to:
26 (i) Reliable broadband internet service;
27 (ii) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user;
28 and
29 (iii) Applications and online content designed to enable and
30 encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.
31 (b) "Digital inclusion" also includes obtaining access to digital
32 literacy training, the provision of quality technical support, and
33 obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and
34 cybersecurity.
35 (((10))) (11) "Digital literacy" means the skills associated with
36 using technology to enable users to use information and
37 communications technologies to find, evaluate, organize, create, and
38 communicate information.
39 (((11))) (12) "Last mile infrastructure" means broadband
40 infrastructure that serves as the final connection from a broadband
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1 service provider's network to the end-use customer's on-premises
2 telecommunications equipment.
3 (((12))) (13) "Local government" includes cities, towns,
4 counties, municipal corporations, public port districts, public
5 utility districts, quasi-municipal corporations, special purpose
6 districts, and multiparty entities comprised of public entity
7 members.
8 (((13))) (14) "Low-income" means households ((as defined by the
9 department of social and health services, provided that the
10 definition may not exceed the higher of 80 percent of area median
11 household income or)) with a household income that does not exceed
12 200 percent of the federal poverty level or that does not exceed the
13 self-sufficiency standard as determined by the University of
14 Washington's self-sufficiency calculator.
15 (((14))) (15) "Middle mile infrastructure" means broadband
16 infrastructure that links a broadband service provider's core network
17 infrastructure to last mile infrastructure.
18 (((15))) (16) "Office" means the governor's statewide broadband
19 office established in RCW 43.330.532.
20 (((16))) (17) "Tribe" means any federally recognized Indian tribe
21 whose traditional lands and territories included parts of Washington.
22 (((17))) (18) "Underserved population" means any of the
23 following:
24 (a) Individuals who live in low-income households;
25 (b) Aging individuals;
26 (c) Incarcerated individuals;
27 (d) Veterans;
28 (e) Individuals with disabilities;
29 (f) Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals
30 ((who are)) with limited English ((learners)) proficiency or who have
31 low levels of literacy;
32 (g) Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority
33 group;
34 (h) Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area;
35 (i) ((Children and youth)) Dependents in foster care; or
36 (j) Individuals experiencing housing instability.
37 (((18))) (19) "Unserved areas" means areas of Washington in which
38 households and businesses lack access to adequate, reliable, and
39 affordable broadband service, as defined by the office.
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1 Sec. 3. RCW 43.330.532 and 2022 c 265 s 302 are each amended to
2 read as follows:
3 (1) The governor's statewide broadband office is established. The
4 director of the office must be appointed by the governor. The office
5 may employ staff necessary to carry out the office's duties as
6 prescribed by chapter 365, Laws of 2019, subject to the availability
7 of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose.
8 (2) The purpose of the office is to encourage, foster, develop,
9 and improve affordable, quality broadband, broadband adoption, and
10 digital equity within the state in order to:
11 (a) Drive job creation, promote innovation, improve economic
12 vitality, and expand markets for Washington businesses;
13 (b) Serve the ongoing and growing needs of Washington's education
14 systems, health care systems, public safety systems, transportation
15 systems, industries and business, governmental operations, and
16 citizens; and
17 (c) Improve broadband accessibility and adoption for unserved and
18 underserved communities and populations.
19 Sec. 4. RCW 43.330.534 and 2024 c 54 s 53 are each amended to
20 read as follows:
21 (1) The office has the power and duty to:
22 (a) Serve as the central broadband planning body for the state of
23 Washington;
24 (b) Coordinate with relevant state agencies, local governments,
25 tribes, public and private entities, public housing agencies,
26 community anchor institutions, nonprofit organizations, and consumer-
27 owned and investor-owned utilities to develop strategies and plans
28 promoting deployment of broadband infrastructure and greater
29 broadband access and broadband adoption, while protecting proprietary
30 information;
31 (c) Review existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public
32 and private investments;
33 (d) Develop, recommend, and implement a statewide plan to
34 encourage cost-effective broadband access and to make recommendations
35 for increased usage, particularly in rural and other unserved areas;
36 (e) Update the state's broadband goals and definitions for
37 broadband service in unserved areas as technology advances, except
38 that the state's definition for broadband service may not be actual
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1 speeds less than ((twenty-five)) 100 megabits per second download and
2 ((three)) 20 megabits per second upload; and
3 (f) Encourage public-private partnerships to increase deployment
4 and adoption of broadband services and applications.
5 (2) When developing plans or strategies for broadband deployment,
6 the office must consider:
7 (a) Partnerships between communities, tribes, nonprofit
8 organizations, local governments, consumer-owned and investor-owned
9 utilities, and public and private entities;
10 (b) Funding opportunities that provide for the coordination of
11 public, private, state, and federal funds for the purposes of making
12 broadband infrastructure or broadband services available to rural and
13 unserved areas of the state;
14 (c) Barriers to the deployment, adoption, and utilization of
15 broadband service, including affordability of service and project
16 coordination logistics; and
17 (d) Requiring minimum broadband service of ((twenty-five)) 100
18 megabits per second download and ((three)) 20 megabits per second
19 upload speed, that is scalable to faster service.
20 (3) The office may assist applicants for the grant and loan
21 program created in RCW 43.155.160, the digital equity opportunity
22 program created in RCW 43.330.412, and the digital equity planning
23 grant program created in RCW 43.330.5393 with seeking federal funding
24 or matching grants and other grant opportunities for deploying or
25 increasing adoption of broadband services.
26 (4) The office may take all appropriate steps to seek and apply
27 for federal funds for which the office is eligible, and other grants,
28 and accept donations, and must deposit these funds in the statewide
29 broadband account created in RCW 43.155.165.
30 (5) ((The office shall coordinate an outreach effort to hard-to-
31 reach communities and low-income communities across the state to
32 provide information about broadband programs available to consumers
33 of these communities. The outreach effort must include, but is not
34 limited to, providing information to applicable communities about the
35 federal lifeline program and other low-income broadband benefit
36 programs. The outreach effort must be reviewed by the office of
37 equity annually. The office may contract with other public or private
38 entities to conduct outreach to communities as provided under this
39 subsection.
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1 (6))) In carrying out its purpose, the office ((may)) must
2 collaborate with federally recognized tribes and all relevant state
3 agencies including the utilities and transportation commission,
4 Washington technology solutions, the department of commerce, the
5 community economic revitalization board, the department of
6 transportation, the public works board, the state librarian, ((and
7 all other relevant state agencies)) the Washington state office of
8 equity, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
9 As a part of this collaboration, the office must provide data to the
10 Washington state office of equity regarding broadband adoption and
11 digital equity programs maintained by the office to assist the
12 Washington state office of equity in monitoring the implementation of
13 a state digital equity plan in accordance with RCW 43.330.539 (as
14 recodified by this act).
15 Sec. 5. RCW 43.330.536 and 2019 c 365 s 5 are each amended to
16 read as follows:
17 It is a goal of the state of Washington that:
18 (1) ((By 2024, all Washington businesses and residences have
19 access to high-speed broadband that provides minimum download speeds
20 of at least twenty-five megabits per second and minimum upload speeds
21 of at least three megabits per second;
22 (2) By 2026, all Washington communities have access to at least
23 one gigabit per second symmetrical broadband service at anchor
24 institutions like schools, hospitals, libraries, and government
25 buildings; and
26 (3) By 2028, all Washington businesses and residences have access
27 to at least one provider of broadband with download speeds of at
28 least one hundred fifty megabits per second and upload speeds of at
29 least one hundred fifty megabits per second)) By 2028, all Washington
30 businesses, residences, and community anchor institutions have access
31 to broadband service of 150 megabits per second download and 20
32 megabits per second upload in accordance with RCW 43.330.530;
33 (2) By 2030, Washington businesses, residences, and community
34 anchor institutions have access to at least one gigabit per second
35 download speed paired with 500 megabits per second upload speed for
36 long-term fixed broadband in the state; and
37 (3) By 2032, broadband goals for the state of Washington are
38 reviewed and updated with input provided by entities, such as the
39 digital equity forum, communities, tribes, nonprofit organizations,
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1 local governments, consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities,
2 relevant state agencies, and public and private entities.
3 Sec. 6. RCW 43.330.539 and 2022 c 265 s 201 are each amended to
4 read as follows:
5 (1) The office is primarily responsible, in coordination with the
6 state broadband office, for encouraging, fostering, developing, and
7 improving digital equity by facilitating the provision of digital
8 devices and services to individuals and communities in Washington.
9 (2) The office shall coordinate with the statewide broadband
10 office and the department of commerce for an outreach effort to hard-
11 to-reach communities and low-income communities across the state to
12 provide information about broadband and digital equity programs
13 available to consumers of these communities and assist consumers in
14 enrolling in these programs. The outreach effort must include, but is
15 not limited to, providing information to applicable communities about
16 the federal lifeline program and other low-income broadband benefit
17 programs, and must facilitate relationship-building and the
18 communication of lived experience to amplify local efforts and
19 identify continuing needs. The office shall review the outreach
20 effort annually. The office shall coordinate with state boards and
21 commissions that support the participation of people from
22 underrepresented populations in policy-making processes, and may
23 otherwise coordinate or contract with other public or private
24 entities, including to conduct outreach to communities and assist
25 consumers in program enrollment as provided under this subsection.
26 (3) The office, in consultation with the digital equity forum,
27 the utilities and transportation commission, ((and)) the statewide
28 broadband office, the department of social and health services, and
29 other relevant state agencies, must develop and monitor
30 implementation of a state digital equity plan.
31 (a) ((The office must seek any available federal funding for
32 purposes of developing and implementing the state digital equity
33 plan)) The development of the state digital equity plan must build
34 upon the progress made by the statewide broadband office in
35 developing a state digital equity plan.
36 (b) The state digital equity plan must include such elements as
37 the office determines are necessary to leverage federal funding.
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1 (((2))) (4) In developing the plan, the office must identify
2 measurable objectives for documenting and promoting digital equity
3 among underserved communities located in the state.
4 (((3))) (5)(a) By December 1, ((2023)) 2026, the office must
5 submit a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the
6 legislature, including the following:
7 (((a))) (i) The digital equity plan described in subsection
8 (((1))) (3) of this section and measurable objectives described in
9 subsection (((2))) (4) of this section;
10 (((b))) (ii) A description of how the office collaborated with
11 the membership of the digital equity forum, state agencies, and key
12 ((stakeholders)) partners to develop the plan including, but not
13 limited to, the following:
14 (((i))) (A) Community anchor institutions;
15 (((ii))) (B) Local governments;
16 (((iii))) (C) Local educational agencies;
17 (((iv))) (D) Entities that carry out workforce development
18 programs; and
19 (((v))) (E) Broadband service providers;
20 (((c))) (iii) A description of federal funding available to
21 advance digital equity in the state((, including any available
22 information on the extent to which state residents have enrolled in
23 the affordable connectivity program through an approved provider; and
24 (d)));
25 (iv) An evaluation of existing state digital equity initiatives,
26 policies, programs, funding needs, and public and private
27 investments, including a recommended model for future infrastructure
28 and outreach investments; and
29 (v) Recommendations of additional state law or policy that can be
30 targeted to help improve broadband adoption and affordability for
31 state residents. This may include recommendations of ongoing
32 subsidies that the state can provide to low-income individuals and
33 community anchor institutions, as well as identification of revenue
34 sources that other states or jurisdictions have developed to fund
35 such subsidies or discounted rates.
36 (((4) For the purpose of this section, "office" means the
37 statewide broadband office established in RCW 43.330.532)) (b) The
38 office shall review, update, and submit to the governor and the
39 appropriate committees of the legislature a revised state digital
40 equity plan every two years after its initial publication. The office
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1 shall submit to the governor and the appropriate committees of the
2 legislature an updated report that includes the topics in (a)(i)
3 through (v) of this subsection and subsection (6) of this section the
4 year following its submission of a revised state digital equity plan.
5 (6) The office must make publicly available, on an ongoing basis,
6 an overview of the progress made in promoting digital equity among
7 underserved communities located in the state, according to the
8 measurable objectives identified in the digital equity plan. The
9 overview must include a description of the successes and remaining
10 challenges of promoting digital equity among specific types of
11 underserved populations. As part of this requirement, the office
12 shall have oversight over and direct future improvements as it
13 determines is necessary, to the public data resources maintained by
14 the statewide broadband office to track digital equity and the
15 digital divide.
16 Sec. 7. RCW 43.330.5395 and 2022 c 265 s 306 are each amended to
17 read as follows:
18 (1) The Washington digital equity forum is established for the
19 purpose of developing recommendations to advance digital
20 connectivity, broadband adoption, and digital equity in Washington
21 state ((and advising the statewide broadband office on the digital
22 equity opportunity program as provided under RCW 43.330.412 and the
23 digital equity planning grant program as provided under RCW
24 43.330.5393)).
25 (2) In developing its recommendations to advance digital
26 connectivity, broadband adoption, and digital equity, the forum must:
27 (a) Develop goals that are consistent with the goals of the
28 governor's statewide broadband office, as provided in RCW 43.330.536,
29 and the office, as provided in RCW 43.06D.020;
30 (b) Strengthen public-private partnerships, cooperatives, and
31 other partnerships that promote digital connectivity, broadband
32 adoption, and digital equity;
33 (c) Solicit public input through public hearings or informational
34 sessions;
35 (d) Work to increase collaboration and communication between
36 local, state, and federal governments and agencies; and
37 (e) Recommend opportunities for sustainable digital equity
38 funding, including reforms to current universal service mechanisms.
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1 (3) The directors of the governor's statewide broadband office
2 and the ((Washington state)) office ((of equity)) are responsible for
3 appointing participating members of the digital equity forum and no
4 appointment may be made unless each director concurs in the
5 appointment. In making appointments, the directors must prioritize
6 appointees representing:
7 (a) Federally recognized tribes;
8 (b) State and local agencies involved in digital equity; and
9 (c) Underserved and unserved communities, including historically
10 disadvantaged communities.
11 (4) A majority of the ((participating)) members appointed by the
12 directors ((must)) may appoint an administrative chair or cochairs
13 for the forum.
14 (5) In addition to members appointed by the directors, four
15 legislators may serve on the digital equity forum in an ex officio
16 capacity. Legislative participants must be appointed as follows:
17 (a) The speaker of the house of representatives must appoint one
18 member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of
19 representatives; and
20 (b) The president of the senate must appoint one member from each
21 of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
22 (6)(((a))) Funds appropriated to the forum may be used to
23 compensate, for any work done in connection with the forum,
24 additional persons who have lived experience navigating barriers to
25 digital connectivity and digital equity.
26 (((b) Each member of the digital equity forum shall serve without
27 compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized
28 in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.))
29 (7) Staff for the digital equity forum must be provided by ((the
30 governor's statewide broadband office and)) the ((Washington state))
31 office ((of equity)). The ((governor's statewide broadband office and
32 the Washington state)) office ((of equity are jointly)) is
33 responsible for transmitting the recommendations of the digital
34 equity forum to the legislature, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, by
35 October 28, 2025, and every odd-numbered year thereafter.
36 NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 43.06D
37 RCW to read as follows:
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1 The definitions in this section apply to RCW 43.330.539 (as
2 recodified by this act) and 43.330.5395 (as recodified by this act)
3 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
4 (1) "Broadband," "broadband service," and "broadband adoption"
5 have the meanings defined in RCW 43.330.530.
6 (2) "Community anchor institution" has the meaning defined in RCW
7 43.330.530.
8 (3) "Digital equity" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
9 (4) "Local government" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
10 (5) "Low-income" has the meaning defined in RCW 43.330.530.
11 (6) "Office" means the Washington state office of equity.
12 (7) "Underserved population" has the meaning defined in RCW
13 43.330.530.
14 NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. RCW 43.330.539 and 43.330.5395 are each
15 recodified as sections in chapter 43.06D RCW.
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