Wash. Senate Panel Clears House Muni Bill
A Washington state Senate committee cleared the House’s muni broadband bill (HB-1336) at a livestreamed meeting Thursday, despite multiple members describing their ayes as reluctant. Seven members of the Technology Committee voted yes, two voted to move the bill along…
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“without recommendation,” and three voted no. The panel adopted an amendment by Sen. Shelly Short (R) to add increasing broadband access to a list of statutory reasons why a locality could receive financial assistance. The committee rejected other amendments by Republicans who said they wanted to stop cross-subsidization, focus funds on unserved areas and keep the playing field level with private providers. Chairman Reuven Carlyle (D) seeks a more strategic approach but voted without recommendation to clear the bill. Sen. Lisa Wellman (D), who has a rival plan (SB-5383) with more constraints on public utility districts (PUDs) providing broadband, said she voted yes without recommendation in hopes the bill can be sharpened, including focusing on unserved areas. Wellman’s bill is a more “measured, practical approach,” said Sen. Steve Hobbs (D), though he voted yes on HB-1336. Sen. Tim Sheldon (D), a former PUD commissioner, said he’s an “enthusiastic yes” and thinks the bill can be melded with Wellman’s. Lawmakers shouldn't take lightly allowing public providers into retail broadband, said Short. HB-1336 turns broadband into a public utility, which probably will reduce private investment, ranking member Doug Ericksen (R) warned: “That’s a big decision.” The House Community and Economic Development Committee has a vote scheduled Friday on SB-5383.