Bill would set aside $20 million for youth programs statewide

The Public Education Department would receive $20 million to support out-of-school programs. The funding would support programs for school-age youth statewide. Half would go to school districts, charter schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and tribally controlled schools; half would fund contracts with local and statewide nonprofit community organizations that provide these programs. The money would come from the general fund. Any unspent balance would not return to the general fund at the end of a fiscal year. The department could spend the money in fiscal year 2027 and later fiscal years.