Committee tables bill creating ongoing grant fund for out-of-school programming funded by business filing fee
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Summary
Senate Bill 213, creating an Opportunity Out-of-School Care Grant Program funded by a proposed $35 increase in the annual business filing fee, was presented as a workforce and public-safety investment; proponents emphasized demand and outcomes but the committee tabled the measure following discussion.
Senate Bill 2 13 would establish an Opportunity Out-of-School Care Grant Program within the Department of Education to expand nonprofit-led after-school and summer programs statewide. Senator Liz Larson said the amended bill removed an initial one-time appropriation and instead relies on an ongoing funding mechanism tied to a $35 increase in the annual business filing fee.
Proponents including nonprofit providers, chambers, YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs representatives described the program as addressing unmet demand (waiting lists and unsupervised children after school), supporting workforce participation and preventing risky youth behaviors. Mike Baughrani and Jennifer Stally highlighted research on outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
The amendment delays grant disbursements to allow the fund to grow; proposed eligible grantees would be nonprofits that increase access rather than supplant existing programs and would be subject to reporting requirements.
A motion to table SB 2 13 carried on a recorded roll call. Supporters said the program would provide recurring state support for high-quality out-of-school time programming; opponents were not recorded in the transcript.
Next steps: SB 2 13 was tabled; sponsors framed the measure as a long-term investment in children, workforce stability and public safety.