The Senate Workforce Development Committee voted to recommend a “do not pass” on Senate Bill 2306, a proposal that aimed to stabilize childcare centers by addressing financial losses tied to 0-to-3 age slots.

Committee members debated whether the bill was the right vehicle for the problem and noted overlapping efforts in other legislation. Senator Larson moved a “do not pass” recommendation; the clerk recorded the motion as carrying 4–0–1. No amendment to create an alternative stabilization mechanism was filed during the hearing.

Committee members who spoke said they support stabilizing childcare generally but questioned whether SB 2306 was necessary given other pending legislation. The discussion noted that earlier work has included incentives for childcare centers and that a recently introduced House bill (House Bill 1012) addresses similar stabilization issues, leading some senators to conclude SB 2306 was redundant.

The committee took no further action on the bill at that time; members asked who would carry the bill to the floor, and a volunteer was identified. The committee recessed after completing items that carried fiscal notes or appropriations.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded a 4–0–1 vote to recommend “do not pass.” The clerk opened the roll and recorded yes votes from the senators present; one member was counted as absent for the tally.

Background and significance: supporters of broader childcare stabilization policy have proposed multiple approaches, including direct stabilization payments, incentives, or changes tied to workforce development programs. Committee members asked staff to continue coordinating with related bills so policy work on childcare stability could proceed through a single vehicle if appropriate.

What’s next: the committee closed its consideration of SB 2306 and recessed; the committee noted the matter could reappear in other bills or on the floor if a sponsor chooses to advance it.