FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 707

                                  C 367 L 87

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Vekich, Ballard, Grimm, Locke, Meyers, Basich, Hargrove, Heavey, Jacobsen, Fisch, O'Brien, P. King, Baugher, Rasmussen, Unsoeld and Todd; by request of Employment Security Department

Increasing the goals and duties of the Washington conservation corps.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Conservation Corps program was created by the legislature in 1983.  The program was designed to:  provide work experience and training for young people, 18 to 25 years old; work on the conservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of the state's natural, historic and recreational resources; teach both basic employment skills and the workings of natural systems to program participants; and provide needed public services.

The conservation corps was established in six delivery agencies. They include the Employment Security Department, the Department of Ecology, the Department of Game, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Agriculture and the State Parks and Recreation Commission. Coordination and administrative support was provided by the Youth Employment Exchange in the Employment Security Department.  The exchange developed guidelines for work performance standards for the entire program, and was designated the sole recipient of federal funds for youth employment and conservation corps programs.

The legislature passed legislation to provide further direction to the program in 1985.  The Employment Security Department was designated to select and approve conservation corps projects, with the assistance of the Conservation Corps Coordinating Council, composed of representatives of all the participating agencies.  Total administrative costs for the program were limited to 15 percent of total program costs and costs per enrollee were limited to an average cost of $7,000.  A minimum of 60 percent of enrollee funds were to be used in distressed areas or to serve youth from distressed areas.  The Department of Employment Security was directed to evaluate projects on the basis of cost, public benefit, coordination, the opportunity for placement and the degree of public and private support.  Training plans were to be developed for each enrollee.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Conservation Corps program is reauthorized.  It is extended through July 1, 1995.  Priorities for program activities relative to conservation, rehabilitation and resource enhancement are established.  Emphasis is given to projects which address: timber, fish and wildlife management plans; watershed management plans; the 1989 centennial celebration; Puget Sound water quality; the U.S.-Canada fisheries treaty; recreational trails; and recreational facilities.

The Conservation Corps Coordinating Council, consisting of representatives of the six agencies participating in the conservation corps program, is designated to select, review, approve and evaluate the success of projects under the program, rather than recommending work projects to the Department of Employment Security.  It supplants the Department of Employment Security in this role.

Up to 15 percent of funds spent for recruitment, job training and placement services are directed to be contracted whenever possible through local education institutions or non-profit corporations.  Contracts may include general education development, testing, preparation of resumes and job search skills.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    48     1(Senate amended)

      House       (House insisted)

Free Conference Committee

      Senate    43     1

      House 97   0

EFFECTIVE:May 14, 1987