Bill > HB2523

This bill aims to continue and refine the state's community reinvestment program, which was established to address historical racial, economic, and social disparities stemming from drug-related laws. It amends existing law to allow the community reinvestment account to be used for economic development, including grants for small businesses and entrepreneurs, civil and criminal legal assistance for post-conviction relief like expunging records, community-based violence intervention and prevention services, reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals, and agricultural and economic support for marginalized communities. The bill also introduces provisions for organizations providing specialized services to apply on a statewide basis, even if they aren't "by and for community organizations" (meaning organizations run by and for the specific communities they serve), provided they secure support from such organizations and contribute to their outreach and oversight. Furthermore, it mandates that the community reinvestment plan be reviewed and updated at least every five years, establishes a work group to plan for joint administration of the program by the Washington State Office of Equity and the Department of Commerce, and requires the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study the program's distribution and impact.