BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5297: Early learning facilities

Concerning the early learning facilities grant and loan program.

Summary

Removes the match requirement for applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Removes the level of project matching funds as a competitive criterion when selecting or recommending projects for funding.
Expands eligibility to projects that convert part day slots to full day or extended day or convert full day slots to extended day and to emergency grants.
Adds tribal compact schools as eligible for early learning grants and loans for school districts.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5297), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House

AN ACT Relating to the early learning facilities grant and loan program;

Passed March 10, 2025

Version voted on: SB 5297

49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	30	0	0	0
Republican	19	0	0	0

How each member voted

Jan 12, 2026Senate Rules "X" file.
Jan 12, 2026By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Apr 27, 2025By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
Mar 12, 2025First reading, referred to Capital Budget.
Mar 10, 2025Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Mar 10, 2025Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Mar 5, 2025Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 21, 2025Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 20, 2025WM - Majority; do pass.
Jan 16, 2025First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5297 (2023–24) Commercial salmon fisheries · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5297 (2021–22) Civil protection orders · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5297 (2019–20) Assistant AG bargaining · Enacted · Chapter 145, Laws of 2019
SB 5297 (2017–18) Educational employees' comp. · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5297 (2015–16) Commercial vehicles/fuel tax · Enacted · Chapter 228, Laws of 2015
SB 5297 (2013–14) Coal transition power · Enacted · Chapter 158, Laws of 2013
SB 5297 (2011–12) Signature gathering · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5297 (2009–10) Probate completion · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House