Joint Budget Committee. The bill clarifies that the department of
early childhood (department) may use the remaining money annually appropriated from the preschool programs cash fund (fund) to provide additional preschool services for children who are in low-income families or who meet at least one qualifying factor and to provide services for the furtherance of the universal preschool program. The bill prohibits the general assembly from appropriating the full
balance of the fund prior to the start of a state fiscal year. The unappropriated balance in the fund is the reserve. The department may submit a request for a supplemental appropriation from the reserve to the joint budget committee.
