Rep. Stephanie Barnard prefiles bipartisan bill to boost access to federal grants for Washington communities

In anticipation of the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, has prefiled a bill aimed at providing much-needed support to Washington state communities in their pursuit of federal grants.

House Bill 1870, titled the Moving Assets Towards Community Health Program (MATCH), is already gaining momentum with bipartisan support. The proposal would establish a dedicated program within the Department of Commerce to facilitate access to federal grant funding.

“In an era of unprecedented federal grant opportunities, Washington state communities face a make-or-break moment,” said Barnard. “The Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPs Act, and more—an abundance of federal funding is waiting to propel our communities forward. Yet, I’ve witnessed too many falter because they lacked resource support and the matching funds needed to unlock these grants. We are at a crossroads of historic opportunities, and the time to act is now.”

Recognizing this pivotal juncture, the MATCH program is ready to address the urgent challenges local communities face, especially those in rural areas, when applying for federal grants. One of the most significant hurdles is that many communities struggle to secure essential matching funds at the local level, despite the increase in federal grant opportunities.

Barnard’s proposal seeks to resolve this economic “chicken and egg” dilemma by establishing a state pool of matching funds within the Department of Commerce. This would provide support to communities that qualify for federal funding but need help meeting the local match requirements.

Other core objectives of the MATCH program include:

Resource guide assistance: Directing the Department of Commerce to assist communities with a comprehensive resource guide. This guide will include links to applications, valuable resources, and contact information for agency staff—helping streamline the application process.

Technical assistance: Providing technical assistance to communities in developing competitive grant applications, ensuring a higher success rate in securing federal funding.

Setting criteria: Prioritizing applications for federal funds in the Associate Development Organization Grant Program.

Along with empowering the Department of Commerce to establish rules for the program’s implementation, Barnard’s bill requires reporting to gauge the program’s success. Starting in December 2027, the Department of Commerce would be required to submit biennial reports detailing:

  • Federal funds awarded to entities using MATCH funds.
  • Assistance provided to local communities, applicants, and projects funded by federal awards.
  • An analysis of the program’s effectiveness, including the return on investment in terms of federal dollars obtained relative to state dollars spent.

Barnard expressed her optimism about the bill, stating:

“The MATCH program represents a significant step towards empowering our communities with the resources they need to thrive. Whether it’s overcoming technical hurdles, securing matching funds, or other resources, the MATCH program under the Department of Commerce will ignite our communities’ economic success.

“Let’s not miss out on these chances for growth—they may never come again. We need to act, and my bill can get us there by unlocking the full potential of federal funds for Washington state.”

The 60-day 2024 legislative session begins on Monday, Jan. 8 and ends March 7.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov