Panel hears bill to create Pre‑K Promise account to accept philanthropic funding for ECAP expansion

Staff briefed the committee on engrossed Senate Bill 5,872, which would create a Pre‑K Promise account to be used exclusively for the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECAP). Jordan Clark said the account would accept gifts, grants and donations, not be directly appropriated (subject to allotment procedures), and that only the DCYF secretary may authorize expenditures. Clark noted the Ballmer Group has committed to funding up to 10,000 additional ECAP slots over the next 10 years, and DCYF estimated initial staffing costs to track deposits and ensure compliance at about $294,000 in the current biennium and $217,000 per year thereafter.