H-2110.3

HOUSE BILL 2195

ByRepresentatives Callan, Eslick, Senn, Chopp, Ramel, Paul, Reeves, Ormsby, Hackney, Reed, Fosse, Doglio, Goodman, and Davis

AN ACT Relating to strengthening the early learning facilities grant and loan program by revising criteria and providing resources to the Ruth LeCocq Kagi early learning facilities development account; amending RCW 43.31.577, 82.87.030, and 43.31.575; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; and providing effective dates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 43.31.577 and 2023 c 474 s 8031 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Activities eligible for funding through the early learning facilities grant and loan program for eligible organizations include:

(a) Facility predesign grants or loans ((of no more than $20,000)) to allow eligible organizations to secure professional services or consult with organizations certified by the community development financial institutions fund to plan for and assess the feasibility of early learning facilities projects or receive other technical assistance to design and develop projects for construction funding;

(b) Grants or loans ((of no more than $200,000 for minor renovations or repairs of existing early learning facilities or)) for predevelopment activities to advance a proposal from planning to major construction or renovation;

(c) Grants or loans for renovations or repairs of existing early learning facilities;

(d) Major construction and renovation grants or loans and grants or loans for facility purchases ((of no more than $1,000,000)) to create or expand early learning facilities((, except that during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium these grants or loans may not exceed $2,500,000)); and

(((d)))(e) Administration costs associated with conducting application processes, managing contracts, translation services, and providing technical assistance.

(2) For grants or loans awarded under subsection (1)(c) and (d) of this section, the department must prioritize applications for facilities that are ready for construction.

(3) Activities eligible for funding through the early learning facilities grant and loan program for school districts include major construction, purchase, and renovation grants or loans ((of no more than $1,000,000)) to create or expand early learning facilities that received priority and ranking as described in RCW 43.31.581.

(((3) Amounts in this section must be increased annually by the United States implicit price deflator for state and local government construction provided by the office of financial management.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

For early learning facilities collocated with affordable or supportive housing developments, the department may remit state funding on a reimbursement basis for 90 percent of eligible project costs, regardless of the project's match amount, once the nonstate share of project costs have been either expended or firmly committed in an amount sufficient to complete the entire project or a distinct phase of the project that is useable to the public as an early learning facility. Eligible housing developments are projects that have received public funding and have secured enough funding to complete construction of the project that will result in a certificate of occupancy to open the affordable housing development, including the early learning facility.

Sec. 3. RCW 82.87.030 and 2021 c 196 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All taxes, interest, and penalties collected under this chapter shall be distributed as follows:

(a) The first $500,000,000 collected each fiscal year shall be deposited into the education legacy trust account created in RCW 83.100.230; and

(b) ((Any remainder collected each fiscal year shall be deposited into))Beginning July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the state treasurer shall distribute any remaining revenues collected as follows:

(ii) 75 percent to the common school construction ((account [fund]))fund.

(2) The amounts specified under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall be adjusted annually as provided under RCW 82.87.150.

Sec. 4. RCW 43.31.575 and 2021 c 130 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Organizations eligible to receive funding from the early learning facilities grant and loan program include:

(a) Early childhood education and assistance program providers;

(b) Working connections child care providers who are eligible to receive state subsidies;

(c) Licensed early learning centers not currently participating in the early childhood education and assistance program, but intending to do so;

(d) Developers of housing and community facilities;

(e) Community and technical colleges;

(f) Educational service districts;

(g) Local governments;

(h) Federally recognized tribes in the state; and

(i) Religiously affiliated entities.

(2) To be eligible to receive funding from the early learning facilities grant and loan program for activities described in RCW 43.31.577 (1) (b), (c), and (((c)))(d) and (2), eligible organizations and school districts must:

(a) Commit to being an active participant in good standing with the early achievers program as defined by chapter 43.216 RCW; and

(b) Demonstrate that projects receiving construction, purchase, or renovation grants or loans must also:

(i) Demonstrate that the project site is under the applicant's control for a minimum of ten years, either through ownership or a long-term lease; and

(ii) Commit to using the facility funded by the grant or loan for the purposes of providing preschool or child care for a minimum of ten years.

(3) To be eligible to receive funding from the early learning facilities grant and loan program for activities described in RCW 43.31.577 (1) (b), (c), and (((c)))(d) and (2), religiously affiliated entities must use the facility to provide child care and education services consistent with subsection (4)(a) of this section.

(4)(a) Upon receiving a grant or loan, the recipient must continue to be an active participant and in good standing with the early achievers program.

(b) If the recipient does not meet the conditions specified in (a) of this subsection, the grants shall be repaid to the early learning facilities revolving account or the early learning facilities development account, as directed by the department. So long as an eligible organization continues to provide an early learning program in the facility, the facility is used as authorized, and the eligible organization continues to be an active participant and in good standing with the early achievers program, the grant repayment is waived.

(c) The department, in consultation with the department of children, youth, and families, ((must))may adopt rules to implement this section.

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