Wash. Legislators Mull Mapping Broadband

Washington state should develop its own broadband map, said the state broadband office’s director, Mark Vasconi, at a hearing livestreamed Wednesday. The state’s Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee heard testimony but didn’t vote on SB-5718. Vasconi said he was neutral on the bill, which would require his office to develop and maintain a broadband map showing serviceable locations and service capabilities by July 1, 2024. The bill also would require the office to update the map at least twice a year. “We need more precise data” than FCC maps show, but the proposed due date is a “lofty aspiration,” commented Vasconi. Pressed by Sen. Shelly Short (R) if that should be delayed, Vasconi said “more time is always better than less.” The office can do it by July 1, 2024, but it would need to hire more people, he said. The House Innovation Committee advanced that chamber’s version (HB-1746) Tuesday.