SB6575 creates the Economic Assistance Reinvestment Account (EARA) in the state treasury. Money only may be spent after appropriations. The money in the EARA can only be expended to expand access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program with priority given first to:
(a) people who are homeless as set forth in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and (b) people who are at substantial risk of losing stable housing or housing support services as described in previous RCW.
Revenues to the economic assistance reinvestment account consist of:
(a) Savings to the state general fund resulting from reductions in TANF families caseloads and per capita costs, as calculated and transferred into the account under this section;
(b) Any other public or private funds appropriated to or deposited in the account.
The department, in collaboration with the Office of Financial Management and the Caseload Forecast Council, will develop a methodology for calculating the savings under this section. The methodology must be used for the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium, and each biennium thereafter. The methodology must establish a baseline for calculating savings. The savings must be based on actual caseload and per capita expenditures. By December 1, 2020, the department shall submit the proposed methodology to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature.
The department shall use the methodology to calculate savings to the state general fund for transfer into the Economic Assistance Reinvestment Account in starting in fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter.
