Bipartisan legislation that would further strengthen rural broadband service in Washington is one step closer to becoming law. The House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee unanimously approved House Bill 1982 from Rep. Kevin Waters. The bill would codify the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Rural Broadband program.
“This is a simple bill, but it would have a big impact on our rural communities and tribes,” said Waters, R-Stevenson. “I’ve been a CERB board member for several years and I’ve seen firsthand the great work the board has done with this grant program.”
Since 2018, CERB has operated a Rural Broadband Program with funding from the capital budget, which provides grants and loans to local governments and federally recognized tribes. The program finances the cost to build infrastructure to provide high-speed, open-access broadband service to rural and underserved communities for the purposes of economic development or community development.
By codifying the bill, it would formalize and make permanent the authority for CERB to have a loan and grant program for broadband to rural communities.
“CERB is committed to economic development within our rural communities and its efforts have already made a big difference for many of these communities throughout Washington,” said Waters. “It’s great to see this bipartisan bill move forward because I recognize the positive affect it will have on our rural communities and tribes.”
The bill does not call for any additional funding or new staffing. Projects would continue to be funded from CERB’s biennial appropriation.
House Bill 1982 will now wait for the opportunity to be voted on, on the House floor.
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