Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: prioritizing certain farm projects under the broadband expansion grant program.
Data processing Farm and farming Public service commission Telecommunications
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Public Service Commission makes grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. In making the grants, current law requires PSC to give priority to projects that satisfy various requirements. This bill requires PSC to also give priority to projects that expand fiber optic broadband lines to farms. The bill defines “farm” as land primarily devoted to agricultural uses related to crop and animal production that are referenced in a rule promulgated by the Department of Revenue.
Sponsors
Introduced by: Larson (D) , Ratcliff (D) , Roys (D) , Smith (D) , Spreitzer (D)
17 cosponsors
Anderson (D) , Bare (D) , DeSmidt (D) , Fitzgerald (D) , Joers (D) , McCarville (D) , Miresse (D) , Moore Omokunde (D) , Ortiz-Velez (D) , Roe (D) , Sheehan (D) , Sinicki (D) , Stroud (D) , Stubbs (D) , Subeck (D) , Tenorio (D) , Udell (D)
Full history
- Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Smith, Ratcliff, Spreitzer, Roys and Larson; cosponsored by Representatives Udell, Stroud, Fitzgerald, Stubbs, Miresse, Sinicki, Moore Omokunde, Ortiz-Velez, McCarville, Bare, Joers, Tenorio, Roe, Sheehan, DeSmidt and Anderson
- Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism
- Mar 4, 2026 · Senate
Representative Subeck added as a cosponsor
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1