HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6544

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Higher Education

Title: An act relating to establishing the future of work task force.

Brief Description: Establishing the future of work task force.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Chase, Brown, Hasegawa, Wagoner, Wellman, Takko and Conway).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education: 2/20/18, 2/23/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Establishes the Future of Work Task Force, supported by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, to address issues related to changes in technology, industry, and the workforce.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Pollet, Vice Chair; Haler, Orwall, Sells and Tarleton.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Stambaugh.

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

The Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a Governor-appointed partnership of members from businesses, labor, and government. Among other things, the Workforce Board evaluates the performance of, and coordinates and monitors, the state's workforce programs as a whole.

In a 1999 executive order, the Governor directed the Workforce Board to work with business, labor, state agencies, and local workforce development councils to develop strategies addressing, among other things, the following challenges:

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Summary of Bill:

The Future of Work Task Force (task force) is created to:

The task force must consist of:

The Workforce Board may contract with research advisors to carry out the duties of the task force. The task force may not meet more than four times per year.

The task force expires on June 30, 2020.

Under the direction of the task force and subject to amounts appropriated, the Workforce Board must:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Legislature is responsible for developing public policy that responds to current conditions and prepares the state for the future.  A number of jobs will soon be obsolete due to digitization and robotics. This bill will help the Legislature make good public policy in response to the rapid changes happening in the workforce.  The education sector needs data, not just another dashboard.  There are many workforce education programs and plans, but they need to be knitted together.  Getting actual data and case studies will help policymakers and those in the system understand how to integrate all the existing programs.

(Opposed) None.

(Other)  Although this bill is not reflected in the Governor's budget, it is a good concept.  The Workforce Board is the appropriate agency to do this work and will be able to directly engage with legislators under this bill.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Chase, prime sponsor; and Katherine Mahoney, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

(Other) Eric Wolf, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.