Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 3 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 5600 — Removing the expiration date for the state universal communications services program.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

132 added · 134 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Senate Bill 5600 removes any expiration dates for certain telecommunications regulations, as opposed to the earlier draft which included a provision to extend those dates. This change means that the regulations governing basic residential and telecommunications services will remain in effect indefinitely, providing more stability and assurance for service providers and consumers. By eliminating the expiration, it ensures ongoing access to essential services without the need for further legislative action in the near future.

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S-1204.5 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5600 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2023 Regular Session By Senate Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Wellman, Braun, Lovick, Schoesler, and Short) READ FIRST TIME 02/17/23.
S-0910.1 SENATE BILL 5600 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2023 Regular Session By Senators Wellman, Braun, Lovick, Schoesler, and Short Read first time 01/27/23.
AN ACT Relating to extending the expiration date for the state universal communications services program;
Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology.
amending RCW 80.36.630, 80.36.650, 80.36.660, 80.36.670, 80.36.680, 80.36.690, and 80.36.700;
AN ACT Relating to removing the expiration date for the state universal communications services program;
and providing expiration dates.
amending RCW 80.36.630, 80.36.650, 80.36.660, 80.36.670, 80.36.680, and 80.36.690;
and repealing RCW 80.36.700.
(1) The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 80.36.650 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(((1))) The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 80.36.650 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Basic residential service" means those services set out in 47 C.F.R.
(((a))) (1) "Basic residential service" means those services set out in 47 C.F.R.
(b) "Basic telecommunications services" means the following services:
(((b))) (2) "Basic telecommunications services" means the following services:
(i) Single-party service;
(((i))) (a) Single-party service;
(ii) Voice grade access to the public switched network;
(((ii))) (b) Voice grade access to the public switched network;
(iii) Support for local usage;
(((iii))) (c) Support for local usage;
(iv) Dual tone multifrequency signaling (touch-tone);
(((iv))) (d) Dual tone multifrequency signaling (touch-tone);
(v) Access to emergency services (911);
(((v))) (e) Access to emergency services (911);
(vi) Access to operator services;
(((vi))) (f) Access to operator services;
1 SSB 5600 (vii) Access to interexchange services;
1 SB 5600 (((vii))) (g) Access to interexchange services;
(viii) Access to directory assistance;
(((viii)))(h) Access to directory assistance;
and (ix) Toll limitation services.
and (((ix))) (i) Toll limitation services.
(c) "Broadband service" means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability, including internet access and access to high quality voice, data, graphics, or video.
(((c))) (3) "Broadband service" means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability, including internet access and access to high quality voice, data, graphics, or video.
(d) "Communications provider" means a provider of communications services that assigns a working telephone number to a final consumer for intrastate wireline or wireless communications services or interconnected voice over internet protocol service, and includes local exchange carriers.
(((d))) (4) "Communications provider" means a provider of communications services that assigns a working telephone number to a final consumer for intrastate wireline or wireless communications services or interconnected voice over internet protocol service, and includes local exchange carriers.
(e) "Communications services" includes telecommunications services and information services and any combination thereof.
(((e))) (5) "Communications services" includes telecommunications services and information services and any combination thereof.
(f) "Incumbent local exchange carrier" has the same meaning as set forth in 47 U.S.C.
(((f))) (6) "Incumbent local exchange carrier" has the same meaning as set forth in 47 U.S.C.
(g) "Incumbent public network" means the network established by incumbent local exchange carriers for the delivery of communications services to customers that is used by communications providers for origination or termination of communications services by or to customers.
(((g))) (7) "Incumbent public network" means the network established by incumbent local exchange carriers for the delivery of communications services to customers that is used by communications providers for origination or termination of communications services by or to customers.
(h) "Interconnected voice over internet protocol service" means an interconnected voice over internet protocol service that:
(((h))) (8) "Interconnected voice over internet protocol service" means an interconnected voice over internet protocol service that:
(i) Enables real-time, two-way voice communications;
(((i))) (a) Enables real-time, two-way voice communications;
(ii) requires a broadband connection from the user's location;
(((ii))) (b) requires a broadband connection from the user's location;
(iii) requires internet protocol-compatible customer premises equipment;
(((iii))) (c) requires internet protocol-compatible customer premises equipment;
and (iv) permits users generally to receive calls that originate on the public network and to terminate calls to the public network.
and (((iv))) (d) permits users generally to receive calls that originate on the public network and to terminate calls to the public network.
(i) "Program" means the state universal communications services program created in RCW 80.36.650.
(((i))) (9) "Program" means the state universal communications services program created in RCW 80.36.650.
(j) "Telecommunications" has the same meaning as defined in 47 U.S.C.
(((j))) (10) "Telecommunications" has the same meaning as defined in 47 U.S.C.
(k) "Telecommunications act of 1996" means the telecommunications act of 1996 (P.L.
(((k))) (11) "Telecommunications act of 1996" means the telecommunications act of 1996 (P.L.
(2) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(((2) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) Sec.
Sec.
The program is established to protect public safety and welfare under the authority of the state to regulate p.
The program is established to protect public safety and p.
2 SSB 5600 telecommunications under Article XII, section 19 of the state Constitution.
2 SB 5600 welfare under the authority of the state to regulate telecommunications under Article XII, section 19 of the state Constitution.
3 SSB 5600 communications services, including basic telecommunications services;
3 SB 5600 communications services, including basic telecommunications services;
(8) The program terminates on June 30, ((2024)) 2034, and no distributions may be made after that date.
(((8) The program terminates on June 30, 2024, and no distributions may be made after that date.
(9) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(9) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) p.
p.
4 SB 5600 Sec.
4 SSB 5600 Sec.
(1) To implement the program, the commission must adopt rules for the following purposes:
(((1))) To implement the program, the commission must adopt rules for the following purposes:
Show all 57 changed rows (17 more)
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(a) Operation of the program, including criteria for:
(((a))) (1) Operation of the program, including criteria for:
(b) Operation of the universal communications services account established in RCW 80.36.690;
(((b))) (2) Operation of the universal communications services account established in RCW 80.36.690;
(c) Establishment of the criteria used to calculate distributions;
(((c))) (3) Establishment of the criteria used to calculate distributions;
and (d) Readoption, amendment, or repeal of any existing rules adopted pursuant to RCW 80.36.610 as necessary to be consistent with RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610.
and (((d))) (4) Readoption, amendment, or repeal of any existing rules adopted pursuant to RCW 80.36.610 as necessary to be consistent with RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610.
(2) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(((2) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) Sec.
Sec.
(4) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(((4) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) Sec.
Sec.
5 SSB 5600 (1) The commission may delegate to the commission secretary or other staff the authority to resolve disputes and make other administrative decisions necessary to the administration and supervision of the program consistent with the relevant statutes and commission rules.
5 SB 5600 (((1))) The commission may delegate to the commission secretary or other staff the authority to resolve disputes and make other administrative decisions necessary to the administration and supervision of the program consistent with the relevant statutes and commission rules.
(2) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(((2) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) Sec.
Sec.
(1) The universal communications services account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.
(((1))) The universal communications services account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.
(2) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
(((2) This section expires July 1, 2025.)) NEW SECTION.
RCW 80.36.700 and 2019 c 365 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
RCW 80.36.700 (State universal communications services program — Program expiration) and 2019 c 365 s 17 & 2013 2nd sp.s.
(1) The universal communications services program established in RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 terminates on June 30, ((2024)) 2035.
c 8 s 211 are each repealed.
(2) This section expires July 1, ((2025)) 2035.
6 SSB 5600
6 SB 5600
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  3. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  4. Minority; without recommendation.

  5. Minority; do not pass.

  6. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  7. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:00 AM.

  8. On motion, referred to Ways & Means.

  9. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  10. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  11. Referred to Appropriations.

  12. ICEV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  13. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

  14. Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.

  15. First reading, referred to Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans.

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted (ENET 23).

  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

  22. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Environment, Energy & Technology.

  23. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 9:00 AM.

  24. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  25. Referred to Ways & Means.

  26. And refer to Ways & Means.

  27. ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  28. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.

  29. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.

  30. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#34)

Passed 48 Yea · 1 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 11000
Republican 16000
Democrat 21100
Total 48100
% of votes cast 98%2%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Hawkins — Yea
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Yea
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Yea
Rolfes — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Nay
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety technology
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5600?
SB 5600 is sponsored by Shelly Short (Republican), Mark Schoesler (Republican), John Lovick (Democrat), John Braun (Republican), and Lisa Wellman (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5600?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5600?
Track SB 5600 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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