WA HB2016

Appropriates $1.507 billion total for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, including $1.227 billion in federal funds and $280 million in state matching funds from the State Building Construction Account

Requires state matching funds be provided only for projects where the lead applicant is a public or tribal government entity, with priority given to affordability, fair labor practices, speed to deployment, open access, and local/tribal coordination

Establishes secondary selection criteria favoring projects that provide open-access wholesale last-mile broadband service on fair, equal, and neutral terms to all potential retail providers

Allocates $300,000 in federal funds for a staff position to advise the statewide broadband office on new and emerging broadband technologies

Amends RCW 43.330.400 to rename and expand the federal broadband account, allowing it to receive legislative appropriations and be used for broadband activities authorized under federal law and nonfederal match requirements