Signed by Governor Jack Dalrymple

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that appropriates state funds for early childhood education grants.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for the purpose of providing early childhood education grants between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017 (Sec. 7).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to collect applications for and distribute the following grants to eligible early childhood education providers for children enrolled in an early childhood education program, beginning July 1, 2016 (Secs. 3 & 7):
• $2,000 for a child who is eligible for free lunches; and
• $1,000 for a child who is eligible for reduced lunches.

• Requires the following criteria to be met for the early childhood education provider to receive a grant (Sec. 3):
• The child is a resident of North Dakota; and 
• The early childhood education program has a duration of at least 400 hours over a period of 32 consecutive weeks.

• Sen. Donald “Don” Schaible is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted “Nay” but changed his vote to “Yea” after the roll call.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates state funds for early childhood education grants.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for the purpose of providing early childhood education grants between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017 (Sec. 7).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to collect applications for and distribute the following grants to eligible early childhood education providers for children enrolled in an early childhood education program, beginning July 1, 2016 (Secs. 3 & 7):
• $2,000 for a child who is eligible for free lunches; and
• $1,000 for a child who is eligible for reduced lunches.

• Requires the following criteria to be met for the early childhood education provider to receive a grant (Sec. 3):
• The child is a resident of North Dakota; and 
• The early childhood education program has a duration of at least 400 hours over a period of 32 consecutive weeks.

• Rep. Kylie Oversen is listed on our vote breakdown as not voting; she intended to vote "Yea."

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates state funds for early childhood education grants.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for the purpose of providing early childhood education grants between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017 (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to collect applications for and distribute the following grants to eligible early childhood education providers for children enrolled in an early childhood education program, beginning July 1, 2016 (Secs. 3 & 7):
• $1,000 for a child who is not eligible for free or reduced lunches; and
• $1,500 for a child who is eligible for free or reduced lunches.

• Requires the following criteria to be met for the early childhood education provider to receive a grant (Sec. 3):
• The child is a resident of North Dakota; and 
• The early childhood education program has a duration of at least 400 hours over a period of 32 consecutive weeks.

Full Bill Text