Advocates urge codifying $100 million Community Reinvestment Program, committee hears

Supporters of the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) told the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 2 that making the program permanent and increasing accountability would protect investments that reach historically excluded communities.

Trevor Press, committee staff, described SB 6,275 as a package to update the Community Reinvestment Plan, require Commerce and an Office of Equity partnership to refresh the plan every 10 years, mandate biennial implementation reports beginning June 30, 2027, and require an independent study of distribution and recipient use of funds. The bill’s legislative language states the intent to transfer no less than $100 million per fiscal year into the Community Reinvestment account.

Witnesses from community‑based organizations, workforce boards, legal service providers and small businesses spoke in strong support. Paula Sardinas, chair and chief advocate for Washington Build Back Black Alliance, framed CRP as a long‑term repair strategy for harms from redlining and disinvestment, asking the committee to "make the CRP $100,000,000 grant permanent." Angela Griffin and other community leaders described how CRP dollars support housing stability, food access, and workforce pathways.

Local workforce boards and county officials described measurable outcomes: SkillSource and other workforce partners said CRP investments helped small businesses stabilize, hire, and expand; John Troggett of the Washington Workforce Association cited participant employment outcomes and cost‑savings to taxpayers. Representatives from legal aid groups and the Washington Defender Association described time‑sensitive legal interventions made possible by CRP grants.

The committee did not vote; members and witnesses emphasized transparency, performance reporting and technical support to ensure funds are braided effectively with federal and local resources. Proponents said that independent evaluation and clearer reporting will give the legislature oversight tools to measure long‑term impact.