[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6094664,"mediaKeyId","2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c","parentId",2842220,"title","Nonprofits tell committee reimbursement grants and delayed contracts hamper BIPOC-led groups; Commerce outlines limits and pilots","audioSeconds",2156,"startMs",1045400,"endMs",3201655,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c&start=1045&end=3201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c/thumbnail_1045400.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094664/Washington/Nonprofits-tell-committee-reimbursement-grants-and-delayed-contracts-hamper-BIPOC-led-groups-Commerce-outlines-limits-and-pilots","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094664-d8efcca3a1818c122c2c75eba0b27d8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775003260&Signature=MVhXnQXu7LrCIWote~SdQ9kgHpQDydr6ODD51wdnq9xidcUUIjRjpDx-H4yepnlBxJGsKJfULG0V1qnWmXA764ACuu7lX6SavwQF-4ktWCTYAH-7-y83Mz95hYItveV9XJ5EHckKNygjnW1u4paBSggXT6B7tDR2vF-BlH8mCaJS5GiDS9cNJRXuUUKk4IRPCbYn6ZKKF7PNEX5QGQJjV7Z8FrL6BCOnYqenEqcyn~aL7rEQxxKqGMYglM3c9-W7E-ivpk~z3UI2b9uCbd33D~ENe69-Q1ouZiuqr~RIYm82k6L5oNVx4lt5chiibDYTJUn7U5j5iSZcTgKFWHEkaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House State Government & Tribal Relations","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Nonprofit leaders and funders told the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee that Washington’s reimbursement-based grants and delayed state contracts create structural barriers for small and culturally specific organizations, limiting their ability to deliver services.

Pausman Jouf, founder and executive director of the Washington West African Center, said many start-up and BIPOC-led groups rely on private philanthropic seed money to implement state-funded projects because Commerce’s grants are often reimbursement-based and restricted. \"The reimbursement based grants making system is definitely something that we are concerned about,\" Jouf said, describing a Sub-Saharan Africa project where large portions of the award remained unspent near the fiscal-year end because allowable costs were too restricted for community needs.

Shavona McKeown, executive director of the Southwest Washington Equity Coalition, said reimbursement contracting forces nonprofits to take on loans or build reserves before applying. \"One of the organizations we work with had to take out a significant loan to cover the upfront costs of implementing the award they were granted by Commerce,\" McKeown said. She said delays of up to six months for reimbursement have jeopardized payroll and programming.

Shawnee Fitzgerald, founder of Women of Wisdom and the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce, urged more upfront funding and regional parity for Eastern Washington organizations, saying delayed payments and upfront cost requirements prevent small businesses and nonprofits from applying for state funding.

Nella (surname not specified), executive director of Encompass and member of the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA), gave a quantitative example: the early childhood ECAP contract the organization runs had a permitted indirect cost rate of 5% while the organization’s actual administrative cost rate is roughly 24%, meaning the contract covered “slightly less than 75% of our actual costs,” she said. Encompass also reported contract signature delays that pushed initial payments months after the July 1 contract start date.

Representatives from the Department of Commerce acknowledged the problems but described statutory and accounting constraints. David Pringle and Kyle Gitchell said Commerce manages more than 200 programs and, in the 2023–25 biennium, executed more than 4,000 new contracts. \"A majority of this work is a pass-through contract that goes to a service provider or building something throughout the state,\" Pringle said. Kyle Gitchell cited the state constitution (Article 8, sections 5 and 7) and RCW 43.88.160 as legal restrictions that limit the agency’s ability to advance funds to private entities.

Officials described several partial responses: partnering with local philanthropic intermediaries (community foundations) that can provide upfront funding; piloting performance-based contracting to release payments at specific milestones; expanding capacity-building and technical assistance for grantees; and exploring CDFI partnerships. Omar Santana Gomez of the Governor’s Office of Equity and Belonging said his office is convening agencies to standardize RFPs and streamline licensing and procurement processes across state agencies.

Philanthropic intermediaries said they are already bridging the gap. Seth Kirby of Greater Tacoma Community Foundation described a partnership with the Office of Financial Management to distribute nearly $2 million in census outreach and a $5 million Community Reinvestment Project partnership with Commerce to distribute funds to Black, Latinx and Indigenous organizations. Zeke Smith of Empire Health Foundation said advancing funds from a foundation endowment enabled dozens of Eastern Washington nonprofits to implement homelessness and community reinvestment work without the delays of reimbursement.

Community presenters asked the committee to require more consultation with culturally specific organizations when drafting RFPs, allow flexible and multiyear general operating grants, and reduce reporting burdens. Commerce and equity office staff said they will continue work with partners and the legislature to identify statutory and process changes.

The committee signaled interest in follow-up briefings and thanked witnesses for a session the chair called \"informative and helpful.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Government & Tribal Relations - 4/1/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Nonprofit leaders told the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee that the state’s reimbursement-based grants, delayed contract signatures and tight allowable-cost rules create cash‑flow and implementation barriers—problems that particularly harm small, BIPOC-led organizations.","taxTitle","State Government & Tribal Relations, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20271,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6094671,"University of Washington researchers outline misinformation, deepfake work for State Government & Tribal Relations Committee",659,53625,713510,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c&start=53&end=713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c/thumbnail_53625.jpg","/articles/6094671/Washington/University-of-Washington-researchers-outline-misinformation-deepfake-work-for-State-Government-Tribal-Relations-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094671-56934aeab8774b2ba7cb7797a20ac89f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775003260&Signature=C~c943fdVbqx9qyBr7~~1yhnmBaQPPxBO0w~-P~292GNuzLCCkRs7x45bPDqJypyzeDXk29Kcxf2H8HQDdK3N-eWcU96ngebkTpJQ445HaxH6cGXymgIoFU5zxH6Wi~QoMr3~zwcxbD6ekesAsCa8IzVkr7YC4fJul9LWyA1DMYIRTwjQ6UNmXE~xXL2ZA6qW9WPwpWrBT-M8dK-2HOUn9YEGVilKk-8uch5koE73oBAnpFke9FcTvGb6BwuapH~rPga4IWDLLO5HQ0yJ-LZ11m99HOLOcJnh05vO3jJ9jjScoN5qrh5v7K6dE-I66wffA7aFLRJL82-yJ2Mb9qa6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public told the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee that it studies how information flows online and translates that research into education and policy support.

Emma Spiro, associate professor and faculty director of the Center for an Informed Public, told the committee the center was formed in February 2019 as a partnership among the University of Washington Information School, the School of Law and the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering, and later expanded partnerships with Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication to reach communities statewide. \"We are not a fact checking organization,\" Spiro said, emphasizing scope limits and that the center is a nonpartisan research center funded by private foundations, federal grants and individual donations.

The center’s work spans elections, public health and other domains. Jevin West, professor at the University of Washington, said the center focuses on information integrity, attention dynamics on platforms and the social impacts of misinformation. \"We were a part of the group that tried to come up with some policy to deal with deepfakes,\" West said, describing work that informed state law in multiple states and mentioning that the center’s materials are used by the Washington Supreme Court, the Secretary of State and county auditors.

The presenters described a mix of methods—qualitative, computational and emerging AI approaches—and said a major part of the center’s mission is public education. West described outreach programs ranging from high school “MissInfo Day” events to media-mentorship programs where students teach older adults about online information. The center also develops educational tools and games to illustrate synthetic-media risks.

Committee members asked about funding and whether the center faces targeted harassment. Spiro said the center’s largest private supporters include the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, while major federal support comes through the National Science Foundation; she said roughly 40% of funding comes from private philanthropic sources and 40% from federal competitive research awards. When Representative Walsh raised whether the center was perceived as politically biased, Spiro replied the center’s leadership had been subject to harassment and public records requests but characterized that as targeted campaigns against individuals and the center’s research, not merely perception.

The presenters stressed that the center’s work informs both policy deliberations and community-facing education. West said AI is already entwined with the center’s classroom and outreach conversations and noted there are no simple solutions to synthetic-media challenges, but that norm-setting and continued engagement with journalists and policymakers matter. \"It's hard to have a class discussion or a meeting discussion without talking about AI,\" West said.

The committee concluded the presentation with an offer to follow up and thanked the presenters for their briefing.","The University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public described its research and education programs on misinformation and synthetic media to the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee, emphasizing its nonpartisan mission and a mix of private and federal funding.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6094660,"Committee advances two election bills after amendment votes; SB 5017 passes narrowly, SB 5014 passes unanimously",1306,4790795,6097405,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c&start=4790&end=6097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842220-19a874b6aca3b11cedcd721aa446381c/thumbnail_4790795.jpg","/articles/6094660/Washington/Committee-advances-two-election-bills-after-amendment-votes-SB-5017-passes-narrowly-SB-5014-passes-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094660-803db1ab3976c73148f2d2b5e74f7784/orig.mp4?Expires=1775003260&Signature=QOXkrTGeBHcIfiXAIGrFE9bdAi~TdGh-V1T0UmJMnLqZ2K4-Avqa2LavzSjDzNhn9PqPnj97JUF61NtUbfRwqGMkPtaqO0lxlMn4cidjqKa2jtiuCcLZOP~89-r2iFjeoWxdrCp8gMUaJcWTl1-4AL4XqskaICUefIb2rCR8O23p~7j2BV8TXxX7pDFEqVLNEKNScAbxqK0h1bGbbMQx4ngSMn9RqG5QeOOu9oB1-UUono~ypUHDCjjzi3VCwkunbIw1w3JJMObRPM25oWEFfimumyMdQOnskYxXQBG09TbhCrN9Ukc8yJ3NO9L7zohwWhGUUt62XURrdTjYX422Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee completed executive action on two election bills, reporting both out of committee with recommendations to advance to the floor.

Substitute Senate Bill 5017, which creates uniform standards for service and overseas (UOCAVA) voters, was adopted as amended and reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. After debate on several line amendments, the committee recorded four votes in favor and three opposed. The clerk called the roll: Representative Mena (aye), Representative Stearns (aye), Representative Dolio (aye) and Representative Farvar (aye); Representatives Waters, Walsh and Chase voted no. The motion to report the substitute bill as amended carried.

Committee members debated multiple Chase-sponsored amendments (OMNI 263, 257, 258, 264), which the committee rejected. The committee adopted Representative Farvar’s OMNI 256, which removed a requirement that the Secretary of State explore electronic ballot-return portal options for UOCAVA voters; Representative Walsh’s striking amendment H2101.1, proposed later in debate, was not adopted. Representative Farvar urged a yes vote on the final bill as amended, saying the measure increases uniformity and clarity for military and overseas voters; Representatives Walsh and Chase urged no votes, citing concerns that the bill’s language could broaden UOCAVA applicability in ways that risk security or unintended consequences.

Desiree Omley, Office of Program Research staff, read the bill summary and amendments during the meeting. Representative Stearns moved that substitute Senate Bill 5017 be reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; the motion carried 4–3.

On Senate Bill 5014, which addresses election-security matters, the committee adopted amendments (OMNI 265 and OMNI 260) and voted to report the engrossed substitute bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The committee approved that bill by voice vote and staff announced the result as 7 aye, 0 nay.

Committee discussion included testimony from county auditors and the Secretary of State’s office in earlier proceedings; Representative Stearns said he favored narrowing a broad catchall certification authority in SB 5014 to provide clearer lines for counties, and the committee adopted that narrowing. Representative Waters, ranking member, opposed the narrowing on procedural grounds but the committee nonetheless adopted the change and advanced the bill.

The committee adjourned after staff briefings and thanked staff and participants for their work this year.","The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee voted to report out substitute Senate Bill 5017 (uniform standards for overseas and service voters) as amended by committee (4–3) and to report out engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5014 (election security) as amended (7–0). Members debated multiple amendments to SB 5017, including provisions","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nonprofits tell committee reimbursement grants and delayed contracts hamper BIPOC-led groups; Commerce outlines limits and pilots

University of Washington researchers outline misinformation, deepfake work for State Government & Tribal Relations Committee

Committee advances two election bills after amendment votes; SB 5017 passes narrowly, SB 5014 passes unanimously