WA SB5400

Establishes the Washington Local News Sustainability Program within the Department of Commerce to provide grants supporting employment of news journalists covering civic affairs in underserved communities

Requires grant applicants to be eligible news journalism providers (newspapers, broadcasters, or digital news services) that generally employ at least 2-3 news journalists working at least 30 hours per week in Washington state

Creates a 1.22% local journalism investment surcharge on covered platforms (social media platforms and search engines with $5 million+ in gross income), capped at $6 million annually per platform, effective April 1, 2026

Establishes the Local Journalism Investment Account in the state treasury to receive surcharge revenues and fund the grant program

Defines eligible news providers to include newspapers, FCC-licensed broadcasters, and digital news services that produce original local content, use editorial processes, and publicly disclose ownership—while excluding foreign-controlled entities and terrorist organizations