FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 706

                                  C 167 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Sayan, Vekich, Ballard, Grimm, Locke, Meyers, Heavey, R. King, O'Brien, P. King, Baugher, Rasmussen, Unsoeld and Todd; by request of Employment Security Department)

Modifying youth employment and conservation provisions.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor and Committee on Parks & Ecology

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Youth Employment Exchange was created by the legislature in 1983.  It operates a community service job training program for young people aged 18 to 25 years old, which is currently known as the Washington Service Corps.  The exchange coordinates youth service activities of the Employment Security Department.  The exchange also provides coordination and administrative support for the Washington Conservation Corps program, which consists of natural resource-based community service job programs in six state agencies.

The legislature set spending ceilings and direction for the program in 1985.  Program administrative costs are limited to 15 percent of total program costs and total program costs are restricted to no more than $7,000 per six-month slot.  A minimum of 60 percent of enrollee funds must be expended in distressed areas.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Youth Employment Exchange is reauthorized in the Department of Employment Security and is renamed the Washington Service Corps.  The Washington Service Corps program is extended to July 1, 1993.  The commissioner of the Employment Security Department is permitted to establish a program of educational incentives to encourage enrollees to complete the program.  The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements to provide enrollees education in basic skills with the state community college system, with other educational institutions and with non-profit agencies.  Participation in such programs is not mandatory.  The Washington Service Corps is retained as the sole state agency recipient of federal funds for youth employment and conservation corps programs.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:June 30, 1987