Committee approves Education Department's federal grant application to expand lead testing and remediation in schools and child care

The Education Subcommittee asked the Joint Committee on Ways and Means to approve a federal grant application from the Oregon Department of Education to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for lead testing and remediation in schools and child-care facilities.

Senator Solman presented the subcommittee recommendation and said the Department of Education would partner with the Department of Early Learning and Care to conduct blood testing and remediate water fixtures in schools and childcare facilities. The application was described in the hearing as "in the amount of up to $804,000," and the subcommittee record later references the application as for $800,000 in committee notes. No state match or maintenance of effort was required for the noncompetitive formula grant, and the application deadline was 05/31/2025.

The education subcommittee recommended approval of the submission and the committee recorded the approval without objections in the transcript excerpt.