House Bill 1982 would codify the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Rural Broadband program
A bill from Rep. Kevin Waters that would further the effort to expand rural broadband in Washington received a hearing in the House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee Tuesday. House Bill 1982 would codify the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Rural Broadband program.
“I am a proud CERB board member and champion their efforts to expand their lending and grant services to help strengthen our state broadband,” said Waters, R-Stevenson.
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 has done great work over the last five years with this loan and grant program, including infusing $38 million into broadband through other revenues,” said Waters. “They are a trusted partner for economic development within rural communities and have proven their commitment to these communities throughout Washington.”
Among the many supporters of the legislation are the Makah Tribal Council, the Washington Education Association, and the Washington Public Utility Districts Association.
“I’m excited to see this bipartisan bill move forward as it would allow CERB to have the authority to use their existing funds and capabilities to help expand and fund broadband in our rural and tribal communities, added Waters.”
If the bill becomes law, it would not require any new staffing or additional funding, as projects would continue to be funded from CERB’s biennial appropriation.
The 2024 legislative session began on Jan. 8 and is scheduled to last 60 days.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans houserepublicans.wa.gov
Also read:
- PeaceHealth celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day
Vancouver actor Myronie McKee filmed a breast cancer commercial, then received her own diagnosis the next day. - Washington facing sharp budget deficit, ‘significant impact’ to services expected
OFM Director K.D. Chapman-See warns agencies the 2027-29 budget shortfall spans both operating and transportation funds. - Why AG Nick Brown wants the Supreme Court involved in WA’s redistricting fight
AG Nick Brown calls Louisiana v. Callais “a horrible decision” that undermines voting power of Black and Brown communities statewide. - Opinion: The men who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Five men were tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence — and one nearly wasn’t chosen at all. - Opinion: IBR program’s $13-17 billion fraud and mismanagement, perpetuated by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek
Gary Clark argues IBR hid a $17B cost estimate from lawmakers while spending up to $280M with no public benefit. - Opinion: The IBR shell game for TriMet at Ruby Junction
IBR allocates $320M for a TriMet maintenance facility 20 miles from the actual bridge project. - Washington and Oregon transportation commissions discuss tolling options
I-5 tolls could range from $1.55 to $4.70 depending on the plan, with final rates set in late 2027.
