WA HB1593

Creates a permanent children's social equity land trust managed by the Department of Natural Resources to acquire and manage forested lands at risk of conversion, with revenue dedicated to child care programs

Establishes a child care trust account to receive 70% of revenue generated from trust lands, with 30% going to the forest development account

Directs the Department of Commerce to establish a grant program for retaining and expanding child care in child care deserts and overburdened communities, prioritizing applications that support racial equity

Eligible grant uses include personnel costs, rent/mortgage payments, tuition waivers for families, nonstandard-hour child care, and mental health supports for children and employees

Responds to 2019 findings that 49% of Washington parents struggled to find, afford, or keep child care, with the state losing an estimated $6.5 billion annually in direct and opportunity costs due to child care issues