Legislative Council staff briefed the committee on a new Policy & Program Evaluation Division and proposed scope for a comprehensive evaluation of state childcare programs covering fiscal 2022–2025.

Director Shannon Fleisher described five evaluation areas — availability, affordability, quality, workforce impacts and program administration — and proposed measurable indicators including slot counts by geography, average childcare costs, penetration rates of financial assistance, provider participation in quality programs and employer cost‑share uptake. Staff asked for patience during start‑up and said an April or May update would be provided.

Commerce and the Development Fund reported on state supports for childcare infrastructure and workforce. The Development Fund’s childcare loan program provides low‑interest loans (2.5% fixed) with common 1:1 matching; the fund reported 46 active childcare loans (roughly $9.1M principal) and 2,829 slots financed since 2020. Commerce’s Regional Workforce Impact Program (ARPA seed plus follow‑up state dollars) has supported 58 childcare facilities and reported the addition of 2,627 slots and 278 new workers across projects; Commerce said its RWIP infrastructure role is more limited in the current biennium because of reduced appropriations.