The proposed bill aims to support local news journalism in Washington State by establishing a local news sustainability program within the Department of Revenue. This program will provide grants to eligible news journalism providers to support the employment of journalists covering civic affairs in underserved communities. The bill outlines specific eligibility requirements for applicants, including the need to employ a minimum number of journalists, and it establishes a local journalism investment account funded by a new surcharge on covered platforms, such as social media and search engines, that generate significant gross income. The bill emphasizes the critical role of local journalism in maintaining a functioning democracy and aims to ensure the sustainability of diverse news outlets.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for data sharing among relevant state departments to facilitate the implementation of the program and allows the Department of Revenue to adopt necessary rules. The local journalism investment surcharge will be imposed starting April 1, 2026, with a cap on the annual amount payable by any covered platform. The revenues generated from this surcharge will be directed into the local journalism investment account, which will be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the bill. Overall, the legislation seeks to bolster local journalism's capacity to inform and engage communities, particularly those that are underserved.