The Appropriations Subcommittee on My LEAP voted 2‑1 to adopt the S‑1 amendment to Senate Bill 164 and reported the bill to the full committee after a review of budget changes that increase state support for childcare and postsecondary re‑engagement programs.

The subcommittee’s action comes as members described childcare and related workforce supports as central to the state economy and to efforts to expand access to postsecondary credentials. “It is a huge part of our economy,” said Madam Chair, describing the panel’s dual focus on early childhood programs and higher education efforts such as Reconnect and re‑enrollment pilots.

Committee staff told members the subcommittee report would raise the program’s gross budget by 14.3%, from $643,000,000 to $736,000,000, and increase general fund support by 66.2%, from $136,500,000 to $226,900,000. The clerk said the package adopts the governor’s baseline adjustments and includes a $63,000,000 increase in childcare gap‑fill funding, a $23,000,000 increase targeted to provider pay for infant and toddler care, and nearly $4,000,000 in expansion grants intended to help some Head Start providers expand into full‑service childcare if they choose.

The subcommittee approved a one‑time general fund appropriation of $40,000,000 to meet federal maintenance‑of‑effort (MOE) requirements. Staff explained the $40,000,000 figure is composed of roughly $38,500,000 to shift the payment model from post‑pay to prepay for childcare providers in the coming fiscal year and about $1,500,000 to support contracting with providers in underserved areas to satisfy federal requirements. “They've said it's gonna cost 38 and a half million,” the clerk said of the department's estimate.

Members also moved several targeted changes. The report includes a $2,000,000 appropriation for a re‑enrollment recruitment initiative to reconnect students who have stopped out of college, and it increases one‑time college success funding to $16,000,000 (up $1,000,000 from the governor’s request) with the additional amount directed to hunger‑free campus efforts. The department’s dual‑enrollment line item will be removed from the department budget and replaced with a one‑time appropriation of $10,000 for a dual‑enrollment task force to investigate continuing dual‑enrollment opportunities.

During discussion, members asked about a boilerplate section the executive had labeled unenforceable; staff said that language originated with the executive office and had been flagged as “deemed unenforceable.” Members also clarified that the childcare gap‑fill is intended to backfill gaps because federal funding does not cover the full costs providers face, not to replace a recent state cut.

On roll calls, Senator Kleinfeld moved the S‑1 adoption. The clerk recorded Senator Baker and Senator Kleinfeld voting yes and Senator Albert voting no; the S‑1 was adopted. The same 2‑1 tally was recorded when the subcommittee voted to report SB 164 (S‑1) to the full committee.

The subcommittee approved draft minutes from March 13 and March 31 without objection and then adjourned. The measures and budget changes approved by the subcommittee will proceed to the full committee for further consideration.