Brief Description: Creating a grant program for facilities for youth-oriented activities.

Sponsors: Representatives P. Sullivan, Walsh, Hinkle and Ormsby.

Hearing Date: 2/22/07

Staff: Susan Howson (786-7142).

Background:

Washington has traditionally provided support for capital facilities and programs to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other entities through a variety of competitive grant and loan programs. Examples of such programs funded through the state's Capital Budget include: the Youth Recreational Facilities program; the Community Services Facilities program; the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program; the Public Works Trust Fund; the Housing Trust Fund; the Heritage program; and the Building for the Arts program.

In 1998, a competitive grant program called the Youth Athletic Facilities program was established in statute to assist local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations to build, improve, and maintain outdoor athletic facilities serving youth and communities. This program is administered by the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. As part of the Seahawks Stadium agreement, an initial $10 million donation was deposited into the Youth Athletic Facility Account for this program. Additional revenue into the account is not expected until 2026.

In 2003, a competitive grant program called the Youth Recreational Facilities program (YRF) was established in statute to assist nonprofit youth organizations in acquiring, constructing, or rehabilitating facilities used for the delivery of nonresidential services, excluding outdoor athletic fields. The YRF program is administered by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED). Eligible projects must have a major recreational component and must have an educational or social service component. The DCTED is required to submit a prioritized list of projects to the legislature each biennium. The list is not to exceed $8,000,000.

Summary of Bill:

A competitive grant program is created to assist nonprofit organizations in improving or constructing public school district facilities that would enable or enhance the ability of such organizations to operate youth-oriented activity programs. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose in the capital budget, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will allocate up to five grants per fiscal year to private nonprofit organizations.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction must establish criteria for evaluating applications and conduct a statewide solicitation of applications from private nonprofit organizations that operate youth-oriented activities. The criteria established must give priority to organizations whose programs target under-served, disadvantaged, or multicultural populations.

All statutes and rules applicable to the use of public school district facilities must apply to all facilities constructed or improved by a nonprofit organization using this grant program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.