WA People
BILL · 2021–22 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5439

SB 5439: Broadband/state highways

Facilitating the coordinated installation of broadband along state highways.

Summary

  • Makes it the policy of the state that limited access highway rights-of-way be used to accommodate the deployment of broadband facilities as a critical part of the state's infrastructure.
  • Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to adopt and maintain an agency policy to provide broadband facility owners with information about planned highway projects.
  • Authorizes the WSDOT to have its contractors install broadband conduit as part of road construction projects if no owners would like to participate in the installation of broadband infrastructure.
  • Authorizes the WSDOT to grant franchises to use a state highway for construction and maintenance of fiber optic facilities.
  • Requires the Joint Transportation Committee to oversee a consultant study to provide recommendations related to the WSDOT's role in broadband service expansion efforts, subject to appropriations.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5439), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedFeb 9, 2021
  2. Out of committeeFeb 22, 2021
  3. Passed SenateFeb 26, 2021
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)
Introduced
February 9, 2021 in the Senate
Last action
January 10, 2022
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5439, ESSB 5439

AN ACT Relating to facilitating the coordinated installation of broadband along state highways;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Patty Kuderer D-48Liz Lovelett D-40Joe Nguyen D-34

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 26, 2021
Version voted on: ESSB 5439
45 Yea 0 Nay 1 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28001
Republican17012
How each member voted

Absent (1)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file. (ESSB 5439)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5439)
  3. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5439)
  4. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5439)
  5. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5439)
  6. TR - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 5439)
  7. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5439)
  8. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESSB 5439)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 0; absent, 1; excused, 3. (ESSB 5439)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5439)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5439)
  12. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5439)
  13. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5439)
  15. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5439)
  17. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5439)
  18. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5439)
  19. Minority; without recommendation.
  20. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  22. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5439 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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