BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

HB 2579: Public media grants

Promoting and funding public media and digital equity.

Summary

Requires the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to establish a public media broadcaster program and a digital equity program to award funds to ensure access to the internet and noncommercial media.
Requires Commerce to identify criteria to prioritize awards under the programs, including length of operation in the state, community organizations and services, and economic impact.
Creates a 20 cents per month per subscriber tax on wireless, cell, prepaid wireless, VoIP, and land lines to fund the programs, provide grants, and administer the programs.

From the House Bill Analysis 2026 (HB 2579), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to promoting and funding public media and digital equity;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

Jan 20, 2026First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

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

HB 2579 (2019–20) Horse program/Coyote Ridge · Vetoed by the Governor
HB 2579 (2017–18) Conditionally released SVPs · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2015–16) Prefire mitigation · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2013–14) Prospecting and mining · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2011–12) Fire protection firms · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2009–10) Ballot measure signatures · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2007–08) Motor vehicle theft 1 · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 2579 (2005–06) Educational assessments · Enacted · Chapter 113, Laws of 2006