![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.](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Large_Clark-County-Today-Rep.-Waters-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-that-would-help-further-rural-broadband-expansion.jpg)
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:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.