Fiscal Note - 2579 HB, Public Media Grants (Multiple Agency Summary)
Summary
This is the Multiple Agency Fiscal Note Summary for 2579 HB, titled Public media grants. The Office of State Treasurer note shows non-zero but indeterminate cost and/or savings. The Department of Revenue narrative says the bill increases state revenues by an estimated $10.2 million in the five months of impacted collections in fiscal year 2027, and by $25 million in fiscal year 2028, the first full year of impacted collections. It says the Department of Revenue will implement the bill by January 1, 2027, and that all revenues will be deposited into the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account.
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“Fiscal Note - 2579 HB, Public Media Grants (Multiple Agency Summary).”
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Multiple Agency Fiscal Note Summary
Bill Number: 2579 HB Title: Public media grants
Estimated Cash Receipts
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
GF-State NGF-Outlook Total GF-State NGF-Outlook Total GF-State NGF-Outlook Total
Office of State Non-zero but indeterminate cost and/or savings. Please see discussion.
Treasurer
Department of 0 0 10,200,000 0 0 50,300,000 0 0 51,800,000
Revenue
Total $ 0 0 10,200,000 0 0 50,300,000 0 0 51,800,000
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
GF- State Total GF- State Total GF- State Total
Local Gov. Courts
Loc School dist-SPI
Local Gov. Other No fiscal impact
Local Gov. Total
Estimated Operating Expenditures
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTEs GF-State NGF-Outlook Total FTEs GF-State NGF-Outloo Total FTEs GF-State NGF-Outlook Total
Office of State .0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 0
Treasurer
Department of .0 0 0 0 6.6 2,281,682 2,281,682 2,281,682 6.6 2,177,314 2,177,314 2,177,314
Commerce
Department of In addition to the estimate above,there are additional indeterminate costs and/or savings. Please see individual fiscal note.
Commerce
Department of 1.0 407,500 407,500 407,500 .4 99,800 99,800 99,800 .4 99,800 99,800 99,800
Revenue
Total $ 1.0 407,500 407,500 407,500 7.0 2,381,482 2,381,482 2,381,482 7.0 2,277,114 2,277,114 2,277,114
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTEs GF-State Total FTEs GF-State Total FTEs GF-State Total
Local Gov. Courts
Loc School dist-SPI
Local Gov. Other No fiscal impact
Local Gov. Total
Estimated Capital Budget Expenditures
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTEs Bonds Total FTEs Bonds Total FTEs Bonds Total
Office of State Treasurer .0 0 0 .0 0 0 .0 0 0
Department of Commerce .0 0 0 .0 0 0 .0 0 0
Department of Revenue .0 0 0 .0 0 0 .0 0 0
Total $ 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0
FNPID: 76008
FNS029 Multi Agency rollup
Agency Name 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTEs GF-State Total FTEs GF-State Total FTEs GF-State Total
Local Gov. Courts
Loc School dist-SPI
Local Gov. Other No fiscal impact
Local Gov. Total
Estimated Capital Budget Breakout
Prepared by: Megan Tudor, OFM Phone: Date Published:
(360) 890-1722 Final 1/29/2026
FNPID: 76008
FNS029 Multi Agency rollup
Individual State Agency Fiscal Note
Bill Number: 2579 HB Title: Public media grants Agency: 090-Office of State Treasurer
Part I: Estimates
No Fiscal Impact
Estimated Cash Receipts to:
Non-zero but indeterminate cost and/or savings. Please see discussion.
Estimated Operating Expenditures from:
NONE
Estimated Capital Budget Impact:
NONE
The cash receipts and expenditure estimates on this page represent the most likely fiscal impact. Factors impacting the precision of these estimates,
and alternate ranges (if appropriate), are explained in Part II.
Check applicable boxes and follow corresponding instructions:
If fiscal impact is greater than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete entire fiscal note
form Parts I-V.
X If fiscal impact is less than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete this page only (Part I).
Capital budget impact, complete Part IV.
Requires new rule making, complete Part V.
Legislative Contact: Martha Wehling Phone: 360-786-7067 Date: 01/19/2026
Agency Preparation: Dan Mason Phone: (360) 902-8990 Date: 01/29/2026
Agency Approval: Dan Mason Phone: (360) 902-8990 Date: 01/29/2026
OFM Review: Megan Tudor Phone: (360) 890-1722 Date: 01/29/2026
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 211,148.00 Request # 036-1
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 1 Bill # 2579 HB
Part II: Narrative Explanation
II. A - Brief Description Of What The Measure Does That Has Fiscal Impact
Significant provisions of the bill and any related workload or policy assumptions that have revenue or expenditure impact on the responding agency
by section number.
HB 2579 creates the public media broadcaster and digital equity account, coupled with the general fund as the recipient of
the earnings from investments under RCW 43.84.092(4).
There will be some de-minimis work for OST which can be completed within current practices and resources.
II. B - Cash receipts Impact
Cash receipts impact of the legislation on the responding agency with the cash receipts provisions identified by section number and when appropriate,
the detail of the revenue sources. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the cash receipts impact is derived.
Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing functions.
Projected cash flows are currently unavailable; therefore, estimated earnings from investments are indeterminable.
There may be an impact on the debt service limitation calculation. Changes to the earnings credited to the general fund
impacts, by an equal amount, general state revenues.
II. C - Expenditures
Agency expenditures necessary to implement this legislation (or savings resulting from this legislation), with the provisions of the legislation that result
in the expenditures (or savings) identified by section number. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the
expenditure impact is derived. Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into cost estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing
functions.
Part III: Expenditure Detail
III. A - Operating Budget Expenditures
NONE
III. B - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
NONE
III. C - Operating FTE Detail: FTEs listed by classification and corresponding annual compensation. Totals agree with total FTEs in Part I
and Part IIIA.
NONE
III. D - Expenditures By Program (optional)
NONE
Part IV: Capital Budget Impact
IV. A - Capital Budget Expenditures
NONE
IV. B - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
NONE
IV. C - Capital Budget Breakout
Acquisition and construction costs not reflected elsewhere on the fiscal note and description of potential financing methods.
NONE
Public media grants 090-Office of State Treasurer
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 211,148.00 Request # 036-1
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 2 Bill # 2579 HB
IV. D - Capital FTE Detail: FTEs listed by classification and corresponding annual compensation. Totals agree with total FTEs in Part IVB.
NONE
Part V: New Rule Making Required
Provisions of the bill that require the agency to adopt new administrative rules or repeal/revise existing rules.
Public media grants 090-Office of State Treasurer
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 211,148.00 Request # 036-1
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 3 Bill # 2579 HB
Individual State Agency Fiscal Note
Bill Number: 2579 HB Title: Public media grants Agency: 103-Department of
Commerce
Part I: Estimates
No Fiscal Impact
Estimated Cash Receipts to:
NONE
Estimated Operating Expenditures from:
FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTE Staff Years 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.6 6.6
Account
General Fund-State 001-1 0 0 0 2,281,682 2,177,314
Total $ 0 0 0 2,281,682 2,177,314
In addition to the estimates above, there are additional indeterminate costs and/or savings. Please see discussion.
Estimated Capital Budget Impact:
NONE
The cash receipts and expenditure estimates on this page represent the most likely fiscal impact. Factors impacting the precision of these estimates,
and alternate ranges (if appropriate), are explained in Part II.
Check applicable boxes and follow corresponding instructions:
If fiscal impact is greater than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete entire fiscal note
X
form Parts I-V.
If fiscal impact is less than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete this page only (Part I).
Capital budget impact, complete Part IV.
Requires new rule making, complete Part V.
Legislative Contact: Martha Wehling Phone: 360-786-7067 Date: 01/19/2026
Agency Preparation: Christina Brelia Phone: (509) 606-3544 Date: 01/23/2026
Agency Approval: Regan Hesse Phone: (360) 725-4010 Date: 01/23/2026
OFM Review: Marie Davis Phone: (360) 890-1163 Date: 01/29/2026
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 209,383.00 Request # 059-300-4
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 1 Bill # 2579 HB
Part II: Narrative Explanation
II. A - Brief Description Of What The Measure Does That Has Fiscal Impact
Significant provisions of the bill and any related workload or policy assumptions that have revenue or expenditure impact on the responding agency
by section number.
Section 2 creates a new section to RCW 43.330, The Department of Commerce (Commerce) to establish and staff a Public
Media Broadcaster Program that annually awards funding to eligible entities so that Washingtonians have access to
noncommercial media that informs, educates and connects communities across the state.
Section 2 (2) Commerce must identify eligibility criteria for the Public Media Broadcaster Program and prioritize
applications from entities that serve statewide or regional audiences.
Section 2 (3) requires that Commerce develops and maintains award criteria to prioritize awards for at least two categories
of grants: broadcasters with a budget over $1 million, and less than $1 million.
Section 2 (4) requires that Commerce seek gifts, grants and other contributions from nonstate sources for the grant
program.
Section 3 adds a new section to RCW 43.330, The Department of Commerce, and requires that Commerce would establish
and staff a Digital Equity Program that annually awards funding to eligible entities so that every Washingtonians has
resources to safely and effectively access the internet and noncommercial media that informs, educates, and connects
Washington communities.
Section 3(2): Commerce must identify eligibility criteria for the Digital Equity Program and shall prioritize applications
from community anchor institutions, accountable communities of health, public access and government television stations,
workforce development councils, and Washington State University (WSU) extension offices.
Section 3(3-4): Commerce must provide Digital Access Resource Coordinators to work with coalitions, networks, and
broadband action teams (BATs) to provide online skill building to create safe ways to engage and educate communities
about artificial intelligence and online safety.
Section 3(5-6): Commerce must provide multimedia producers and trainers to increase capacity and support existing
community and government media and stations with technical expertise and training.
Section 3(7): The Digital Equity Program must provide space for trainings, computer labs, studios, pods, booths, and
mobile recording and broadcast equipment.
Section 3(8): In accordance with its authority under RCW 43.330.040, Director Power and Duties, the Department shall
seek gifts, grants, and other contributions from nonstate sources to support the purposes of this section.
Section 4-7: Establish a new Public Media Broadcast and Digital Equity Tax to be collected by the Department of
Revenue.
II. B - Cash receipts Impact
Cash receipts impact of the legislation on the responding agency with the cash receipts provisions identified by section number and when appropriate,
the detail of the revenue sources. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the cash receipts impact is derived.
Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing functions.
II. C - Expenditures
Agency expenditures necessary to implement this legislation (or savings resulting from this legislation), with the provisions of the legislation that result
in the expenditures (or savings) identified by section number. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the
expenditure impact is derived. Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into cost estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing
functions.
Commerce assumes the program will begin in FY28, since FY27 revenues will not be sufficient to support the planning or
Public media grants 103-Department of Commerce
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 209,383.00 Request # 059-300-4
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 2 Bill # 2579 HB
administrative startup. Therefore, no administrative costs were assigned to FY27.
Commerce Staffing Needs
Positions starting July 1, 2028; costs cannot be absorbed. All positions would be new, permanent and on-going.
2 FTE – Commerce Specialist 2
3 FTE – Commerce Specialist 3
0.5 FTE – Commerce Specialist 5
0.2 FTE – Management Analyst 4
0.3 FTE (first two years), then 0.2 FTE ongoing – Washington Management Service Band 3
Key Responsibilities for each position
Commerce Specialist 2: (4,176 hours annually) FY28 and ongoing thereafter to partner with community media
organizations, identify apprenticeships, provide training, explore creative economy opportunities, support local content
creation and small business growth. They would also foster collaboration and capacity building in community media and
government stations while serving as multimedia producers and trainers as required in Section 3(5-6).
Commerce Specialist 3 (4,176 hours) FY28 and ongoing thereafter to manage contracts and share resources, build
partnerships, and promote community engagement based on Section 3(3-4). Staff would serve as digital access resource
coordinators, as required in Section 3(3-4) and coordinate content and manage a central resource database, build referral
networks, produce events and share strategies with broadband action teams, provide culturally responsive information, and
notify communities about funding opportunities. Staff would also support opportunities to seek non-state funding to
finance this grant program, under Section 3(8), including to research funding opportunities and draft grant proposals.
Commerce Specialist 3 (2088 hours) to establish and manage the Public Media Broadcaster Grant Program and manage
around 30 contracts. Section 2 (3).
Commerce Specialist 5 (1044 hours) in FY28 and ongoing thereafter for staff supervision, review of prospective funding
proposals and oversight of all grant funding and digital resource coordinators. This includes assigning contracts and
program planning elements to staff. Staff will present advanced technical business information to BATs, community
anchor institutions, workforce development councils, communities and other community partners.
Management Analyst 4 (209 hours) in FY28 and ongoing thereafter to collect data for reporting requirements noted in
Section 3(e). Develop and manage reporting and annual service and impact reports in Section 2 (2) (j).
WMS 2 in first year, .2 in subsequent years to oversee program development and fundraising required in Section 2 (4).
Budget Analyst 4: provides financial management support, including budget development, allotment.
Benefits (B) are calculated at 48% of salaries
Goods and Services (E) are estimated at $5,000 per FTE annually
Printing Costs (E): Commerce assumes it will need to translate program materials to ensure culturally responsive
communication. This includes translating one document per year into eight languages, at a cost of $1,725 per document,
for a total annual cost of $13,800.
Commerce assumes the program must provide space for trainings, computer labs, studios, pods, booths, and mobile
recording and broadcast equipment Section 3(7).
Rent (E): The Liaison/Approver Final Recommendation Department assumes that public libraries and other publicly or
non-profit funded community anchor institutions will provide additional free spaces for community engagement events
Public media grants 103-Department of Commerce
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 209,383.00 Request # 059-300-4
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 3 Bill # 2579 HB
and activities statewide. Commerce assumes that the average statewide cost to rent a training space is $150 per hour and
will convene 12 in-person training events, each lasting 2 hours, annually from FY28–FY31, for a total annual cost of
$3,600.
Travel (G) Commerce assumes travel is required to support in-person community engagement as outlined in Section 3
(3-4) and Section 3 (5-6).
The estimated annual costs for each travel requirement include:
For Section 3 (3-4):
Lodging: $110 per night × 12 nights × 2 staff = $2,640
Meals and incidentals: $51 per day × 12 days × 2 staff = $1,224
Travel (motor pool use): $39 per day × 12 days × 2 staff = $936
Total annual cost: $4,800
For Section 3 (5-6):
Lodging: $110 per night × 12 nights × 2 staff = $2,640
Meals and incidentals: $51 per day × 12 days × 2 staff = $1,224
Travel (motor pool use): $39 per day × 12 days × 2 staff = $936
Total annual cost: $4,800
Combined total travel cost for FY28 through FY31: $9,600 annually.
Capital outlays (J) of $45,000 are included in the first fiscal year for computers and equipment for the nine new positions.
Grants, benefits & Client Services (N) Object N Costs are indeterminate due to unknown legislative grant appropriations,
resulting in a partially indeterminate fiscal note.
Intra-Agency Reimbursements (T) are calculated at 31.7% and applied only to Objects A and B.
Part III: Expenditure Detail
III. A - Operating Budget Expenditures
Account Account Title Type FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
001-1 General Fund State 0 0 0 2,281,682 2,177,314
Total $ 0 0 0 2,281,682 2,177,314
In addition to the estimates above, there are additional indeterminate costs and/or savings. Please see discussion.
III. B - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTE Staff Years 6.6 6.6
A-Salaries and Wages 1,088,510 1,058,566
B-Employee Benefits 522,486 508,112
C-Professional Service Contracts
E-Goods and Other Services 95,800 94,800
G-Travel 19,200 19,200
J-Capital Outlays 45,000
M-Inter Agency/Fund Transfers
N-Grants, Benefits & Client Services
P-Debt Service
S-Interagency Reimbursements
T-Intra-Agency Reimbursements 510,686 496,636
9-
Total $ 0 0 0 2,281,682 2,177,314
In addition to the estimates above, there are additional indeterminate costs and/or savings. Please see discussion.
Public media grants 103-Department of Commerce
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 209,383.00 Request # 059-300-4
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 4 Bill # 2579 HB
III. C - Operating FTE Detail: List FTEs by classification and corresponding annual compensation. Totals need to agree with total FTEs in
Part I and Part IIIA
Job Classification Salary FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
Budget Analyst 4 0.1 0.1
Commerce Specialist 2 2.0 2.0
Commerce Specialist 3 3.0 3.0
Commerce Specialist 5 1.0 1.0
Management Analyst 4 0.2 0.2
Washington Management Service 0.3 0.3
Band 2
Total FTEs 6.6 6.6
III. D - Expenditures By Program (optional)
Program FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
Community Services Division (300) 624,916 550,548
Local Government Division (600) 1,656,766 1,626,766
Total $ 2,281,682 2,177,314
Part IV: Capital Budget Impact
IV. A - Capital Budget Expenditures
NONE
IV. B - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
NONE
IV. C - Capital Budget Breakout
Acquisition and construction costs not reflected elsewhere on the fiscal note and description of potential financing methods.
NONE
IV. D - Capital FTE Detail: FTEs listed by classification and corresponding annual compensation. Totals agree with total FTEs in Part IVB.
NONE
Part V: New Rule Making Required
Provisions of the bill that require the agency to adopt new administrative rules or repeal/revise existing rules.
Public media grants 103-Department of Commerce
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 209,383.00 Request # 059-300-4
FNS063 Individual State Agency Fiscal Note 5 Bill # 2579 HB
Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
Bill Number: 2579 HB Title: Public media grants Agency: 140-Department of Revenue
Part I: Estimates
No Fiscal Impact
Estimated Cash Receipts to:
Account FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
NEW-State 10,200,000 10,200,000 50,300,000 51,800,000
01 - Taxes 17 - Excise Phone Taxes
Total $ 10,200,000 10,200,000 50,300,000 51,800,000
Estimated Expenditures from:
FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTE Staff Years 2.1 1.0 0.4 0.4
Account
GF-STATE-State 001-1 407,500 407,500 99,800 99,800
Total $ 407,500 407,500 99,800 99,800
Estimated Capital Budget Impact:
NONE
The cash receipts and expenditure estimates on this page represent the most likely fiscal impact. Factors impacting the precision of these estimates,
and alternate ranges (if appropriate), are explained in Part II.
Check applicable boxes and follow corresponding instructions:
If fiscal impact is greater than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete entire fiscal note
X
form Parts I-V.
If fiscal impact is less than $50,000 per fiscal year in the current biennium or in subsequent biennia, complete this page only (Part I).
Capital budget impact, complete Part IV.
X Requires new rule making, complete Part V.
Legislative Contact: Martha Wehling Phone:
360-786-7067 Date: 01/19/2026
Agency Preparation: Diana Tibbetts Phone:
360-534-1520 Date: 01/23/2026
Agency Approval: Valerie Torres Phone:
360-534-1521 Date: 01/23/2026
OFM Review: Megan Tudor Phone:
(360) 890-1722 Date: 01/29/2026
Request # 2579-1-1
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 210,343.00 1 Bill # 2579 HB
FNS062 Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
Part II: Narrative Explanation
II. A - Brief Description Of What The Measure Does That Has Fiscal Impact
Significant provisions of the bill and any related workload or policy assumptions that have revenue or expenditure impact on the responding agency
by section number.
CURRENT LAW:
Washington state does not impose a state tax to fund public media broadcasters or digital equity programs.
PROPOSAL:
This legislation creates a public media broadcaster and a digital equity tax and establishes a dedicated account to fund
public media and digital equity programs to be administered by the Department of Commerce.
The bill imposes a 20-cent monthly tax on all wired, wireless, and VoIP lines, as well as on purchases of prepaid wireless
services. Service providers must collect the tax from subscribers and remit the revenue to the Department of Revenue.
The bill creates the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account in the state treasury. All tax revenues, less
administrative costs, are deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account require legislative appropriation as
follows:
- 80% of account revenues fund grants to public media broadcasters.
- 20% fund digital equity grant programs.
This bill allows the Department of Revenue to retain up to 3% of revenues for administrative costs associated with the
evaluation and administration of the programs.
Cities, counties, and other local governments cannot impose a similar per-line tax on the same services.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The bill takes effect 90 days after the final adjournment of the session. However, due to the time it will take to program
this bill's changes, the department cannot implement the bill until January 1, 2027.
II. B - Cash receipts Impact
Cash receipts impact of the legislation on the responding agency with the cash receipts provisions identified by section number and when appropriate,
the detail of the revenue sources. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the cash receipts impact is derived.
Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing functions.
ASSUMPTIONS:
- As the bill is written, it allows the Department of Revenue to keep the administration fees; however, the Department of
Commerce will administer the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity programs.
- All revenues will be deposited into the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account, and the Department of
Revenue will not retain administrative fees.
- New - Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity account.
- The annual growth rate reflects the non-general fund State 911 telephone tax forecast.
- The Department of Revenue will implement this bill by January 1, 2027, impacting five months of cash collections in
fiscal year 2027.
DATA SOURCES:
- Department of Revenue, November 2025 Non-general fund forecast
REVENUE ESTIMATES:
This bill increases state revenues by an estimated $10.2 million in the five months of impacted collections in fiscal year
2027, and by $25 million in fiscal year 2028, the first full year of impacted collections.
Request # 2579-1-1
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 210,343.00 2 Bill # 2579 HB
FNS062 Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
TOTAL REVENUE IMPACT:
State Government (cash basis, $000):
FY 2026 - $ 0
FY 2027 - $ 10,200
FY 2028 - $ 25,000
FY 2029 - $ 25,300
FY 2030 - $ 25,700
FY 2031 - $ 26,100
Local Government, if applicable (cash basis, $000): None.
II. C - Expenditures
Agency expenditures necessary to implement this legislation (or savings resulting from this legislation), with the provisions of the legislation that result
in the expenditures (or savings) identified by section number. Description of the factual basis of the assumptions and the method by which the
expenditure impact is derived. Explanation of how workload assumptions translate into cost estimates. Distinguished between one time and ongoing
functions.
ASSUMPTIONS:
- This bill affects 800 taxpayers.
- As written, the bill allows the Department of Revenue to retain the administration fees; however, the Department of
Commerce will administer the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity programs.
- All revenues will be deposited into the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account, and the Department of
Revenue will not retain administrative fees.
FIRST YEAR COSTS:
The department will not incur in fiscal year 2026.
SECOND YEAR COSTS:
The department will incur total costs of $407,500 in fiscal year 2027. These costs include:
Labor Costs – Time and effort equate to 2.06 FTEs.
- Amend one administrative rule.
- Create a special notice and update relevant information on the department’s website.
- Set up, program, and test computer system changes.
- Accounting activities for the new tax; compiling receivable information for statewide financial statements and
stakeholders.
- Process tax return work items, assist taxpayers with reporting questions, and respond to inquiries via email, web
message, and paper correspondence.
- Examine accounts and make corrections as necessary.
- Gathering requirements, attending implementation meetings, and documenting and testing system changes.
- Respond to data requests and questions, compile statistics, and manage data.
Object Costs - $117,500.
- Computer system changes, including contract programming.
- Printing and postage.
THIRD YEAR COSTS:
The department will incur total costs of $49,900 in fiscal year 2028. These costs include:
Labor Costs – Time and effort equate to 0.4 FTE.
- Continued computer system testing, monitoring, and maintenance.
- Accounting activities for the new tax; compiling receivable information for statewide financial statements and
stakeholders.
Request # 2579-1-1
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 210,343.00 3 Bill # 2579 HB
FNS062 Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
- Respond to data requests and questions, compile statistics, and manage data.
FOURTH YEAR COSTS:
The department will incur total costs of $49,900 in fiscal year 2029. These costs include:
Labor Costs – Time and effort equate to 0.4 FTE.
- Continued computer system testing, monitoring, and maintenance.
- Accounting activities for the new tax; compiling receivable information for statewide financial statements and
stakeholders.
- Respond to data requests and questions, compile statistics, and manage data.
ONGOING COSTS:
Ongoing costs for the 2029-31 biennium equal $99,800 and include similar activities described in the second-year costs.
Time and effort equate to 0.4 FTE per year.
Part III: Expenditure Detail
III. A - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
FTE Staff Years 2.1 1.0 0.4 0.4
A-Salaries and Wages 184,100 184,100 64,600 64,600
B-Employee Benefits 66,300 66,300 23,200 23,200
C-Professional Service Contracts 116,700 116,700
E-Goods and Other Services 32,300 32,300 11,200 11,200
J-Capital Outlays 8,100 8,100 800 800
Total $ $407,500 $407,500 $99,800 $99,800
III. B - Detail: FTEs listed by classification and corresponding annual compensation. Totals agree with total FTEs in Part I and Part IIIA.
Job Classification Salary FY 2026 FY 2027 2025-27 2027-29 2029-31
EMS BAND 4 139,704 0.0 0.0
EXCISE TAX EX 2 61,639 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
EXCISE TAX EX 3 67,992 0.1 0.1
EXCISE TAX EX 4 75,112 0.1 0.1
FISCAL ANALYST 4 69,747 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
IT B A-JOURNEY 97,570 0.8 0.4 0.1 0.1
IT QA-SR/SPEC 107,544 0.1 0.1
IT SYS ADM-JOURNEY 102,427 0.3 0.2
MGMT ANALYST4 80,822 0.0 0.0
TAX POLICY SP 2 82,874 0.1 0.0
TAX POLICY SP 3 93,800 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
TAX POLICY SP 4 100,981 0.0 0.0
WMS BAND 2 100,662 0.1 0.1
WMS BAND 3 114,564 0.0 0.0
Total FTEs 2.1 1.1 0.4 0.4
III. C - Expenditures By Program (optional)
NONE
Part IV: Capital Budget Impact
IV. A - Capital Budget Expenditures
Request # 2579-1-1
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 210,343.00 4 Bill # 2579 HB
FNS062 Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
NONE
IV. B - Expenditures by Object Or Purpose
NONE
IV. C - Capital Budget Breakout
Acquisition and construction costs not reflected elsewhere on the fiscal note and description of potential financing methods.
NONE
Part V: New Rule Making Required
Provisions of the bill that require the agency to adopt new administrative rules or repeal/revise existing rules.
Should this legislation become law, the department will use the expedited process to amend WAC 458-20-241, titled: "Radio
and television broadcasting." This rulemaking would affect service providers.
Request # 2579-1-1
Form FN (Rev 1/00) 210,343.00 5 Bill # 2579 HB
FNS062 Department of Revenue Fiscal Note
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FISCAL NOTE
Department of Commerce
Bill Number: 2579 HB Title: Public media grants
Part I: Jurisdiction-Location, type or status of political subdivision defines range of fiscal impacts.
Legislation Impacts:
Cities:
Counties:
Special Districts:
Specific jurisdictions only:
Variance occurs due to:
Part II: Estimates
X No fiscal impacts.
Expenditures represent one-time costs:
Legislation provides local option:
Key variables cannot be estimated with certainty at this time:
Estimated revenue impacts to:
None
Estimated expenditure impacts to:
None
Part III: Preparation and Approval
Fiscal Note Analyst: Tammi Alexander Phone: 360-725-5038 Date: 01/26/2026
Leg. Committee Contact: Martha Wehling Phone: 360-786-7067 Date: 01/19/2026
Agency Approval: Jordan Laramie Phone: 360-725-5044 Date: 01/26/2026
OFM Review: Megan Tudor Phone: (360) 890-1722 Date: 01/29/2026
Page 1 of 2 Bill Number: 2579 HB
FNS060 Local Government Fiscal Note
Part IV: Analysis
A. SUMMARY OF BILL
Description of the bill with an emphasis on how it impacts local government.
This bill would create a public media broadcaster and a digital equity tax. It also establishes a dedicated account to fund
public media and digital equity programs to be administered by the Department of Commerce for community, public
radio, or television organizations based in the state.
B. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE IMPACTS
Expenditure impacts of the legislation on local governments with the expenditure provisions identified by section number and when
appropriate, the detail of expenditures. Delineated between city, county and special district impacts.
This bill would not impact local government expenditures because no action is required.
C. SUMMARY OF REVENUE IMPACTS
Revenue impacts of the legislation on local governments, with the revenue provisions identified by section number, and when appropriate,
the detail of revenue sources. Delineated between city, county and special district impacts.
This bill would not impact local government revenues because it establishes a new tax that cannot be levied by counties,
cities, or special districts.
Source:
Department of Revenue fiscal note, HB 2579 (2026)
Page 2 of 2 Bill Number: 2579 HB
FNS060 Local Government Fiscal Note
Multiple Agency Ten-Year Analysis Summary
Bill Number Title
2579 HB Public media grants
This ten-year analysis is limited to the estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases.
Estimated Cash Receipts
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2026-35
2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 TOTAL
Office of State Treasurer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Department of Commerce 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Department of Revenue 0 10,200,000 25,000,000 25,300,000 25,700,000 26,100,000 26,600,000 27,000,000 27,400,000 27,800,000 221,100,000
Total 0 10,200,000 25,000,000 25,300,000 25,700,000 26,100,000 26,600,000 27,000,000 27,400,000 27,800,000 221,100,000
FNS067 Multiple Agency Ten-Year Analysis Summary 1
Ten-Year Analysis
Bill Number Title Agency
2579 HB Public media grants 090 Office of State Treasurer
This ten-year analysis is limited to agency estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases. The Office of Financial Management
ten-year projection can be found at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/default.asp .
Estimates
X No Cash Receipts Partially Indeterminate Cash Receipts Indeterminate Cash Receipts
Name of Tax or Fee Acct
Code
Agency Preparation: Dan Mason Phone: (360) 902-8990 Date: 1/29/2026 9:59:24 am
Agency Approval: Dan Mason Phone: (360) 902-8990 Date: 1/29/2026 9:59:24 am
OFM Review: Phone: Date:
FNS066 Ten-Year Analysis 1
Ten-Year Analysis
Bill Number Title Agency
2579 HB Public media grants 103 Department of Commerce
This ten-year analysis is limited to agency estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases. The Office of Financial Management
ten-year projection can be found at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/default.asp .
Estimates
X No Cash Receipts Partially Indeterminate Cash Receipts Indeterminate Cash Receipts
Name of Tax or Fee Acct
Code
Agency Preparation: Christina Brelia Phone: (509) 606-3544 Date: 1/23/2026 9:56:14 pm
Agency Approval: Regan Hesse Phone: (360) 725-4010 Date: 1/23/2026 9:56:14 pm
OFM Review: Phone: Date:
FNS066 Ten-Year Analysis 1
Ten-Year Analysis
Bill Number Title Agency
2579 HB Public media grants 140 Department of Revenue
This ten-year analysis is limited to agency estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases. The Office of Financial Management
ten-year projection can be found at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/default.asp .
Estimates
No Cash Receipts Partially Indeterminate Cash Receipts Indeterminate Cash Receipts
Estimated Cash Receipts
Name of Tax or Fee Acct Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal 2026-35
Code Year 2026 Year 2027 Year 2028 Year 2029 Year 2030 Year 2031 Year 2032 Year 2033 Year 2034 Year 2035 TOTAL
Excise Telephone - New 10,200,000 25,000,000 25,300,000 25,700,000 26,100,000 26,600,000 27,000,000 27,400,000 27,800,000 221,100,000
Taxes
Total 10,200,000 25,000,000 25,300,000 25,700,000 26,100,000 26,600,000 27,000,000 27,400,000 27,800,000 221,100,000
Biennial Totals 10,200,000 50,300,000 51,800,000 53,600,000 55,200,000 221,100,000
Narrative Explanation (Required for Indeterminate Cash Receipts)
CURRENT LAW:
Washington state does not impose a state tax to fund public media broadcasters or digital equity programs.
PROPOSAL:
This legislation creates a public media broadcaster and a digital equity tax and establishes a dedicated account to fund public media and digital equity programs to be
administered by the Department of Commerce.
The bill imposes a 20-cent monthly tax on all wired, wireless, and VoIP lines, as well as on purchases of prepaid wireless services. Service providers must collect the tax
from subscribers and remit the revenue to the Department of Revenue.
The bill creates the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account in the state treasury. All tax revenues, less administrative costs, are deposited into the account.
Expenditures from the account require legislative appropriation as follows:
- 80% of account revenues fund grants to public media broadcasters.
FNS066 Ten-Year Analysis 1
Ten-Year Analysis
Bill Number Title Agency
2579 HB Public media grants 140 Department of Revenue
This ten-year analysis is limited to agency estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases. The Office of Financial Management
ten-year projection can be found at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/default.asp .
Narrative Explanation (Required for Indeterminate Cash Receipts)
- 20% fund digital equity grant programs.
This bill allows the Department of Revenue to retain up to 3% of revenues for administrative costs associated with the evaluation and administration of the programs.
Cities, counties, and other local governments cannot impose a similar per-line tax on the same services.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The bill takes effect 90 days after the final adjournment of the session. However, due to the time it will take to program this bill's changes, the department cannot
implement the bill until January 1, 2027.
ASSUMPTIONS:
- As the bill is written, it allows the Department of Revenue to keep the administration fees; however, the Department of Commerce will administer the Public Media
Broadcaster and Digital Equity programs.
- All revenues will be deposited into the Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity Account, and the Department of Revenue will not retain administrative fees.
- New - Public Media Broadcaster and Digital Equity account.
- The annual growth rate reflects the non-general fund State 911 telephone tax forecast.
- The Department of Revenue will implement this bill by January 1, 2027, impacting five months of cash collections in fiscal year 2027.
DATA SOURCES:
- Department of Revenue, November 2025 Non-general fund forecast
REVENUE ESTIMATES:
This bill increases state revenues by an estimated $10.2 million in the five months of impacted collections in fiscal year 2027, and by $25 million in fiscal year 2028, the
first full year of impacted collections.
TOTAL REVENUE IMPACT:
State Government (cash basis, $000):
FY 2026 - $ 0
FY 2027 - $ 10,200
FY 2028 - $ 25,000
FY 2029 - $ 25,300
FNS066 Ten-Year Analysis 2
Ten-Year Analysis
Bill Number Title Agency
2579 HB Public media grants 140 Department of Revenue
This ten-year analysis is limited to agency estimated cash receipts associated with the proposed tax or fee increases. The Office of Financial Management
ten-year projection can be found at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/tax/default.asp .
Narrative Explanation (Required for Indeterminate Cash Receipts)
FY 2030 - $ 25,700
FY 2031 - $ 26,100
Local Government, if applicable (cash basis, $000): None.
Agency Preparation: Diana Tibbetts Phone: 360-534-1520 Date: 1/23/2026 6:50:29 pm
Agency Approval: Valerie Torres Phone: 360-534-1521 Date: 1/23/2026 6:50:29 pm
OFM Review: Phone: Date:
FNS066 Ten-Year Analysis 3
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