Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 1539
Brief Description: Expediting private vocational licenses to contribute to adding affordable housing to the state.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Hutchins, Tharinger, Simmons, Kloba, Doglio, Bateman and Leavitt.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Directs the Workforce Training Education and Coordinating Board to prioritize and expedite private vocational school license applications from entities that offer training for workers that will contribute to adding affordable housing to the state.
Hearing Date: 2/7/23
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

The Workforce Education Training and Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a state agency consisting of nine voting members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.  The purpose of the Workforce Board is to provide planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis for the state training system and to advise the Governor and Legislature in cooperation with the Washington Student Achievement Council.

 

Among other duties, the Workforce Board is tasked with licensing entities desiring to operate private vocational schools.  The Workforce Board must issue a license if the entity:

  • files a completed application with information satisfactory to the Workforce Board;
  • complies with the requirements for the Tuition Recovery Trust Fund; 
  • pays the required fees; and
  • meets the minimum standards adopted by the Workforce Board.

 

Licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance unless revoked or suspended.
Summary of Bill:

The Workforce Board is directed to prioritize and expedite license applications from entities that offer training for workers that will contribute to adding affordable housing to the state, such as permit technicians, inspectors, plans examiners, code officials, building officials, and other related fields.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.