Speed really does matter to Washington state

Thanks to two years of intense effort by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Speed Matters campaign in Washington state, the Washington State legislature unanimously passed and Governor Christine Gregoire signed HB 1701 aimed at increasing both access to and adoption of broadband.

The Washington Department of Information Services is tasked with implementing the legislation, designed to accomplish the following:

• Create a Washington state data collection and mapping initiative;
• Establish Community Technology Opportunity Programs;
• Reestablish the high-speed internet workgroup, renamed the Advisory Council on Digital Inclusion, to oversee the expansion of broadband in Washington;
• Designate an agency as an entity for application purposes of the Broadband Data Improvement Act P.L. 110-385; and
• Designate a state agency to implement broadband policy and services.

Representative John McCoy (D-38), chairman of the House Technology Committee, designated Representative Zack Hudgins (D-11) - a long time CWA member - to take the legislative lead on all broadband legislation. Senator Jeanne Kohl-Wells championed the legislation in the Senate.

HB 1701 was drafted, in part, so that the state could capitalize on the approximately $7.2 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 earmarked for broadband initiatives.

Washington State legislature unanimously passed HB 1701

HB 1701 (Washington)