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SB 5577

Establishing and making appropriations for the capital broadband investment acceleration program.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a $200M Capital Broadband Investment Acceleration Program to speed deployment in unserved rural areas by leveraging federal funds.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5577

SB 5577 — Capital Broadband Investment Acceleration Program (summary)

Note up front: the bill number SB 5577 has been used for different proposals in successive legislatures. The 2023 version of SB 5577 (S-0506.1) would have established a capital broadband grant program and appropriated $200 million; that is the primary subject of this summary. A different SB 5577 passed in 2025 (relating to Medicaid coverage of HIV antiviral drugs) and was enacted (partially vetoed). See “Procedural status & notes” below for details.

Purpose

Create a competitive capital grant program in Washington’s statewide broadband office to accelerate deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas and to leverage federal broadband infrastructure funding.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the “capital broadband investment acceleration program” in the statewide broadband office (RCW chapter referenced).
  • Uses appropriated state funds to create a competitive grant program that:
    • Increases broadband access in “unserved areas” (per RCW 43.330.530).
    • Prioritizes projects serving “distressed areas” and rural counties (per RCW 43.168.020).
    • Provides state grant dollars to match funds required to participate in federal broadband infrastructure programs.
  • Eligible applicants include:
    • Local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty public entities, LLCs formed to expand broadband, and incorporated businesses or partnerships.
  • Administrative caps:
    • No more than 3% of program funds may be used by the statewide broadband office, the public works board, and the community economic revitalization board for program administration.
    • Grant recipients may spend no more than 3% of each grant for management or administration.
  • Appropriation (as proposed in the 2023 text): $200,000,000 from the state building construction account—state, for the 2023–25 (biennium ending June 30, 2024, as stated in the original text) period.

Who is affected / expected impact

  • Primary beneficiaries: households, businesses, and community institutions in unserved and prioritized (distressed/rural) areas.
  • Secondary effects: internet service providers and project developers who can apply for grant funding; local governments and tribes that partner on projects.
  • Policy intent: leverage federal funds, accelerate capital deployment, and reduce state administrative overhead through capped admin expenses.

Procedural status & timeline

  • 2023 (S-0506.1): Introduced Jan 26, 2023; public hearing Feb 8, 2023; referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. Proposed appropriation $200M.
  • 2024: By resolution reintroduced and retained in present status (Jan 8, 2024).
  • The 2023 broadband version did not become enacted law as part of the 2025 chapter actions below.

Important note: A different SB 5577 (2025 Regular Session; S-0668.2) — addressing Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs — passed both chambers in 2025, was delivered to the governor, was partially vetoed, and took effect July 27, 2025 (Chapter 11, 2025 Laws PV). That enacted measure is unrelated substantively to the broadband capital program summarized above.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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