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WashingtonHB 13142025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning the early learning facilities grant and loan program.

Sponsored By: Lisa Callan (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New state funds for child care classrooms

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law creates two dedicated state accounts for early learning facilities. Money can come from legislative appropriations, loan repayments, and tax‑exempt bond proceeds. Commerce uses the funds for planning, renovations, buying buildings, and major construction to add classrooms for ECEAP and Working Connections Child Care. The program can also make emergency repair grants after disasters or urgent health and safety threats. Administrative costs are capped at an average of 4% of appropriated funds so most money goes to projects.

Which projects get picked first

Beginning July 27, 2025, the department gives priority to projects that are ready to build. Projects that add ECEAP slots, serve low‑income neighborhoods, improve access across the state, help rural areas, or add kitchens for meals score higher. By September 15 of even‑numbered years, Commerce and OSPI send a ranked list of school district and tribal compact school projects to budget officials and lawmakers. An expert committee with DCYF, OSPI, the Housing Finance Commission, and a certified community development financial organization helps set the ranking method. Committee members can be repaid for travel and are protected from most liability for good‑faith work.

No required match for struggling providers

Beginning July 27, 2025, Commerce may use private or local matches but cannot require a match from applicants facing financial hardship. Commerce also cannot give projects extra points just for bringing a bigger match. This lowers barriers for small or cash‑strapped providers to get facility funding.

Who can apply and long‑term commitments

Beginning July 27, 2025, eligible applicants include ECEAP providers, Working Connections Child Care providers, licensed centers joining ECEAP, housing and community facility developers, community and technical colleges, educational service districts, local governments, tribes, religious groups, school districts, and tribal compact schools. Only these groups can receive money from the new accounts. To get construction, purchase, or renovation funds, recipients must stay active and in good standing with Early Achievers, control the site for at least 10 years, and use it for preschool or child care for at least 10 years. If they stop meeting these conditions, they must repay the grant or loan; repayment is waived while they keep the program open and stay in good standing. Religiously affiliated providers must use the space for child care and education services under program rules.

Commerce runs program; old step removed

Beginning July 27, 2025, the Department of Commerce leads the early learning facilities program in consultation with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Commerce can adopt rules to run the program. The law updates key definitions, including which facilities and tribal compact schools are covered. It also removes the old licensing preapproval step from statute.

Community lenders run grants and reporting

Beginning July 27, 2025, Commerce hires certified community development financial partners to run grants and loans. They award funds through applications that follow state and federal rules and may run emergency grants when money is available. These partners may be paid for processing applications, contract work, and technical help. If no certified partner serves an area, or an applicant can proceed on its own, Commerce can accept applications directly. Partners that receive state funds must file an annual report by July 1 listing each project, location, award amount, public and private match, children served, and how it met program criteria.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin Waters

    Republican • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Peter Abbarno

    Republican • House

  • Steve Tharinger

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/7/2025House

  2. Chapter 21, 2025 Laws.

    4/7/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/7/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/2/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/31/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/31/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/26/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/26/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/21/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/17/2025House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/13/2025House

  12. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    3/7/2025House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  15. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/10/2025House

  17. CB - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/6/2025House

  18. CB - Majority; do pass.

    2/6/2025House

  19. First reading, referred to Capital Budget.

    1/15/2025House

  20. Introduced

    1/15/2025House

Bill Text

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