WA SB5188

Expands Washington's competitive broadband grant and loan program to include loans for repair and replacement of middle mile and last mile infrastructure, in addition to existing funding for acquisition, installation, and construction

Adds priority consideration for projects in areas that would become unserved if repair or replacement did not take place, alongside existing priority for unserved areas

Maintains eligible applicants as local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty public entities, LLCs formed for broadband expansion, and incorporated businesses or partnerships

Retains funding limits of up to 50% of project costs (or 90% in distressed areas and Indian country), with maximum awards of $2 million per project ($5 million for qualifying distressed/tribal areas)

Includes provisions for emergency public works broadband projects to address infrastructure damaged by natural disasters or unforeseen events, with priority given to replacing existing provider infrastructure rather than funding new providers to overbuild