WA SB5297

Expands eligibility for the early learning facilities grant and loan program to include tribal compact schools alongside school districts and eligible organizations such as ECEAP providers, child care providers, community colleges, and local governments

Removes mandatory match fund requirements for applicants experiencing financial hardship and prohibits the department from using match fund levels as a competitive criterion when selecting projects for funding

Creates a new emergency grant category for eligible organizations to address facilities damaged by natural disasters or other immediate health and safety threats, funded through the early learning facilities revolving account

Adds kitchen facilities equipped to support nutritious cooking methods as a prioritization factor for project funding, while removing the criterion that prioritized projects maximizing state resources with other funding sources

Authorizes the Department of Commerce to adopt rules for program implementation and requires annual reports by July 1st from nongovernmental partners receiving state funds for the program